Unexpected Betrayals: The Enhanced Series, #1

By Liza O'Connor

Mary Campbell was tired of servicing half the town. Ever since she reached puberty at the age of twelve, all the boys and men in her town wanted her. Nor could she refuse them. Despite all her pleas to stop, they would take what they wanted, certain she liked it. And the reason they believed this was because in truth her body wanted them. While her mind objected, her body did not. She would have sex with anyone, even if she hated them. Finding her life intolerable, she had decided to move to California and start a new life where no one knows her past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liza OConnor
• Release date: Apr 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393794721

Liza O'Connor

   Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens in a myriad of genres. http://www.lizaoconnor.com/   

Book preview

Chapter 1

Mary Campbell wrote down three phone numbers and closed out of the website before any of her family noticed what she was viewing. As she slipped the paper into her pocket, she looked out the window. A cold gray sky left little doubt that soon it would begin to snow again. Nothing unusual for a Minnesota winter day, but Mary was tired of it; tired to the bone.

After dinner, she lifted the wireless phone from its cradle and carried it upstairs to her bedroom. Her brother was in his room listening to country music, her parents were downstairs: Mom in the kitchen and Dad in front of the TV, no doubt sound asleep, even though it was barely eight p.m.

Mary dialed the first number. If this didn’t work, come the next phone bill there would be hell to pay for these long-distance numbers. She had barely explained why she was calling when the girl cut her off with a quick, It’s rented, and slammed the phone down. The second person was nicer, but the news was no better. Third’s the charm, she whispered, as she dialed the last number.

She explained why she was calling and held her breath waiting for the bad news....

Yeah, well it’s like not much, the girl replied, But it’s cheap.

Mary paused, surprised to find a rent of $800 a month considered cheap. Then...it’s available?

Yeah, you interested?

Yes, oh, yes. She was more than interested. She was desperate.

Come by tomorrow morning, 1606 Anderson, first door on the left, fifth floor.

Wait! she panicked. It will take me a day to get there. Can you hold it for me?

There was a pause. Sure, you sound like a nice person. I’ll hold it.

MARY WAS SHAKING AS she disconnected her call. She had done it. She had a place to live in sunny California. She snuck downstairs, returned the phone to its cradle and then hurried back to her room to pack. Terrified that someone might walk in while she packed, she gave little thought to what she tossed inside. Once the suitcase was full, she slid it beneath her bed, so her Dad wouldn’t notice when he came to say good night.

She removed her gown and studied her naked body before the mirror. Everyone said she was prettier than the movie stars. She hadn’t always been so beautiful. Her life had been normal as a young girl, but when she reached puberty and her body changed, everyone loved her. The teachers, the boys...even the girls. Within a single year, she turned from being a wallflower to the most popular girl in school.

At first the constant admiration pleased her but as time progressed, she grew jaded. No one knew anything about her. They loved her on sight, because of her looks, not because of who she was.

When she graduated from school two years ago, she went to work at a dentist office. Getting the job had been easy, but keeping it required more than she wished. Recently her boss had been pressuring her to get an apartment so he could be with her beyond work hours.

She had admitted she would like her own place, and gratefully accepted the money he offered so she could afford to rent an apartment.

She suspected he’d be a bit angry when he discovered the apartment she rented was in California, but she never actually said she’d look in Minnesota.

She was in bed when her father softly opened her door and eased inside, closing the door behind him. You awake, sweetie? he whispered.

She hesitated before answering. It would be over faster if she admitted she was. She rolled to her back. Yes, sir.

SHE AWOKE TO THE BANGING of pots as her mother fixed breakfast. The clock said it was almost four a.m. She rolled from the bed and grabbed her robe, stumbling to the bathroom. Her heart raced as she realized this would be the last morning she’d rise before the sun.

Breakfast was always a silent affair. It was too early in the morning for anyone to have much to say. Once the meal was consumed, everyone went about their chores on the farm. Only Mary was exempt from farm work. She had a job at the Dentist’s office, which brought in hard cash. Her dad had been after her brother Jeff to bring home a wife to help Mom with the house chores, but so far, Jeff hadn’t complied with that request.

Mary sighed. It was good she was leaving. She suspected Jeff would never marry as long as she remained at home.

With everyone about his or her chores, Mary was able to toss the suitcase from her bedroom window, walk downstairs, retrieve it from the hedge and put it in the car without notice. It was easy, yet the whole time she held her breath, expecting something or someone to stop her from escaping. Even as she drove to the airport, she expected a car accident to block her way or a tire to go flat. She didn’t relax until the plane lifted into the air

Finally, her life was her own!

Chapter 2

Mary called for directions to the apartment from the airport while she waited for her luggage to arrive on the carousel.

Sorry, it’s rented, the girl on the phone said.

No, no. I’m the one you rented it to, she tried to explain. I called last night...

Oh, sorry. I got another offer this morning.

But you said you’d hold it... she stopped her plea because the line had gone dead.

She continued to clench the phone as tears filled her eyes. What was she to do? She had nowhere to go! How would she find a place to stay before her money ran out?

Are you done? a pretty, young woman asked, then noticed Mary was crying. Are you all right?

Mary wiped the tears from her face and attempted a laugh to hide her embarrassment. I’m sorry, here’s the phone.

Is something wrong? the girl repeated.

Nothing earth-shattering. I just discovered that my apartment was rented to someone else, so I don’t have anywhere to stay. I guess I’ll have to find a hotel until I can find something else.

The girl pulled her into a hug. Mary was used to strangers being overly affectionate, yet this girl’s embrace seemed sympathetic rather than sexual.

My name is Chesapeke, Ches for short, the girl said when she stepped back from the hug.

Mary. She reached out and shook hands with her.

Ches’ hand was soft and well-manicured, and so tiny in Mary’s large Norwegian hand.

So, where do you live? Ches asked. She slowly removed her hand from Mary’s.

Here now, except I just don’t know exactly where, Mary replied, feeling less distressed. After all, there had to be thousands of apartments for rent. It wouldn’t take her long to find another.

I live here too, but I don’t know exactly where either. Ches laughed. Daddy bought me a house somewhere in Redondo Beach, but I haven’t seen it yet.

On the beach? Mary asked, excited for the young woman’s good fortune.

I hope so. If not, I will be sorely disappointed. He lured me back from Florida with the promise of my own beach home.

He sounds like a great dad. Mary envied the pretty girl. She evidently had a father who truly loved her. Her father had treated her more like an indentured slave with bed rights.

Yeah, he’s pretty terrific, Ches agreed, and then frowned. At least when I see him. He works all the time, and when he isn’t at work, he’s with some dreadful woman.

And your Mother? Mary asked softly.

Ches looked out the airport glass doors. She died when I was young.

Mary reached out and took Ches’ hand in a tender moment of compassion.

Ches laughed in embarrassment as she rubbed her tearful eyes. Wow, I’m not normally like this. My friends call me the Ice Queen behind my back. Boy, would they have a stroke if they saw me today.

Mary cocked her head and smiled. I can’t imagine anyone calling you an ice queen. You’re one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

Ches smiled. It’s weird. I feel this closeness to you—like we’re long lost sisters.

Mary shook her head excitedly. Exactly! We’ve never met, but our souls recognized each other immediately.

Both nodded in agreement and then laughed in embarrassment at how silly it sounded.

Ches looked outside the glass doors again and smiled. There’s my dad. She pointed to a tall dark hair man wearing sunglasses that stood at the door, studying the crowd.

Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Ches. I wish you the best of luck in your new home. Mary gave her new friend a warm hug. "I had best go retrieve my luggage before someone thinks it’s abandoned.

Ches watched Mary walk to the carousel, desperately wanting to call her back. Something told her she was losing something very dear.

Suddenly arms enveloped her and lifted her into the air. How is my little princess? her father asked as he hugged her tight against him.

Tired, but so happy to see you. Is my house on the beach?

He chuckled and kissed her on her forehead. That’s what I promised, wasn’t it?

She nodded. Her father always kept his promises. How many bedrooms?

Three.

A grand idea came to her and she turned to find Mary and call her back.

Unfortunately, in the excitement of greeting her father, she’d lost sight of Mary, and now her father was ready to go, her friend seemed to have disappeared. Oh, we have to find her!

Who?

My new roommate.

Her father’s eyebrows rose. Was one of your friends with you? Who?

You don’t know her. Ches replied and continued to search the crowded area.

Her father smiled. I know all your friends. I have files on every single one of them.

Not this one, you don’t.

A Florida friend? They have investigators in Florida too you know.

Her name is Mary and she is the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.

His smile disappeared. Mary? I don’t recall anyone named Mary.

She’s gone, Ches declared in disappointment.

Her father placed his arm around her shoulder. You can call her later. She probably had her own ride home.

I don’t have a number for her, and she doesn’t have a home. Well, she does, but I failed to tell her about it.

Her father pulled out his cell phone. What’s her last name, I’ll get her number for you.

She huffed in exasperation and kicked her suitcase. You can’t solve this one, Daddy. I don’t know her last name. We just met while I was waiting for you.

Her father ruffled her hair and chided. Then she can hardly be a friend.

Ches shook her head in disagreement. You don’t understand. It was like I had known her all my life. Instantly!

Well, she’s not here now, and you’re right. Not even I can find her with nothing more to go on than she’s very pretty and her name is Mary.

With reluctance, Ches gave up her search and followed her father to the limo waiting at the curb. She remained sulky as they pulled out into the airport traffic.

Gavin tried to distract his daughter with details of her new home, but Ches could never be consoled with what she did have, when there was something she wanted, that remained outside her grasp.

Gavin sighed. His daughter had always been this way. Once she had her heart set upon something, nothing else mattered. But in this case, what she wanted was impossible. He reached out and caressed Ches’ silky blonde hair. I’m sorry, sweetheart. If you had a last name, I could try and find her, but....

That’s her! Ches cried out, pointing to a tall blonde who had just stepped into a city bus.

Are you sure? Gavin asked.

Yes, I’m positive. Franklin, follow that bus.

Franklin looked in the rear-view mirror and waited for his orders. Gavin gave him a nod.

The bus led them into the seamier part of the city. Gavin grew concerned with the chase as time progressed. Where the hell was this girl going? Was she even on the bus? Ches had only seen a glance. And did he really want his daughter associating with anyone who lived in this section of town?

He was just about to tell Franklin to take them home when the bus roared on leaving a beautiful, young woman standing on the sidewalk.

That’s her, Ches cried as she rolled down the window. Mary! she called.

Franklin, pull over, Gavin ordered when he noticed three young punks approaching Mary. I may require a little help, he added. He then focused a stern glare to his daughter. Ches, stay in this car no matter what happens.

Ches nodded, recognizing a tone of voice that brooked no disobedience. She watched as her father approached her friend, placing himself between her and the young men. When Mary attempted to run to the safety of the limo and her friend, one of the punks snared her about her waist and pulled her against him.

Her father said something to him, which caused them all to look at Franklin, who stood by his door of the limo with a gun aimed at them. They released Mary and backed off. Her father wasted no time getting Mary to his car.

Mary entered the limo and fell into Ches’ arms. I’ve never been so frightened in my life, she admitted. I knew the moment I stepped off that bus I was in trouble, and then I heard your voice. It was like an angel from heaven.

Gavin sat on the seat opposite his daughter and her friend. Franklin, you can take us home now.

Mary looked up to the man who had saved her. Thank you. She trembled under the intense scrutiny of Ches’ handsome father, but not from fear.

You’re welcome. Did you get on the wrong bus? Gavin asked.

I guess I did.

Where were you going?

To a youth hostel on West Orange street. A woman in the bus line told me about it.

His frown deepened. Do you have any friends or family here?

No. I just arrived from Minnesota. I had, or at least thought I had, an apartment arranged, but I discovered upon arrival that they had rented it to someone else.

Minnesota, he said, his eyes narrowing. Where?

Minnetonka.

I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your last name.

Campbell.

His smile seemed a bit stiff, but she liked it better than his frown. "Well, Mary Campbell, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My daughter has