Double Dare

By Michael Hicks

This was the story for Karen, a devout mother to her daughter, and a driven woman who sought some comfort in her love and family life without having the slightest clue on how fast the world could or would turn on her. All had come across as smooth and easy until the first-ever murder, a murder that would make her leave home, abandon her past and share a dreaded secret with one other person and an unknown figure.

Follow the tale of betrayal, theft, secrets, and most importantly, the cunning and manipulating works of a being constantly lurking in the shadows. Double Dare tells the story as it unfolds for Karen, and ultimately stretches toward her daughter and college kids all around them.
Having moved to a town named Ivy Waters, a city intended to become a fresh start, and the right place to root her family anew as she hoped to cast away the secret she held dangerously close in worry and fear to her heart, she had no idea just how many secrets the city of Ivy Waters held in its own past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9780359932054

Michael Hicks

Michael Hicks is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Winchester. He is an historian of Late medieval England, especially the nobility and the Wars of the Roses. Other academic interests are the Late medieval English church, especially chantries, and English regional and local history. He devised and directed the project on English inland trade.

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Double Dare

DOUBLE DARE

Copyright © 2019 Double Dare.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

ISBN: 978-0-359-93204-7 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-0-359-93205-4 (E-Book)

Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author’s imagination.

Front cover image by BoxofWolves.

Book design by Lulu.

Printed by Lulu.com

First printing edition 2019.

Michael Hicks

3225 River Bottom Dr

Cary, NC, 27619

Website Coming Soon

Copyright © 2019 Double Dare.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed by Lulu.com

First printing, 2019.

Michael Hicks

3225 River Bottom Dr

Cary, NC,27619

Website Coming Soon

Chapter 1:

Mother Knows Best

The cold night air rattled against her skin, while she walked hurriedly past the rows of cars with a smile on her face. The bristling cold asides, she felt warm within and not just because of the copious amount of blood rushes through her veins and around her body, but for the events that had come to be just hours before.

Everything still played through her mind as a beautiful symphony which she just could not let off. His touch had felt perfect, and his lips tasted even fresher and as if it was the first time they kissed. She sighed in relief and also with a great deal of excitement as she halted momentarily with her ears seemingly picking up sounds of footsteps tailing her from behind.

Karen halted, paused her breath and harkened her ears towards the sound she was sure she had heard. She looked around slowly, turning her head left and peering her gaze into the darkness as her eyes stretched its vision far and wide in hopes of seeing whatever was making such sounds, but nothing was in sight.

I wish he could have dropped me at my doorstep she thought to herself.

It would have capped off a brilliant night for the lady, but it definitely would also come with a whole lot drama she wasn’t sure she ever wanted to occur. There was the issue of having her lover drop her off at her matrimonial home, and there was the jealous fellow residing in the house whose gaze had been lingering on her for quite some time now.

It was the reason she had had another shower for the umpteenth time before heading off, and the same reason her face bore mild makeup in hopes of averting any suspicions.

Just keep your calm she mumbled to herself upon realizing she was beginning to act jittery.

Her knees felt locked and threatened to begin knocking against one another as she hurried towards the front porch to her house with her handbag slung over her right arm. Her heart raced, and her pulse followed duly, with her forehead slowly gathering some amount of sweat in oddity, considering the night was cold and bristling with its wind at that.

Karen paused before the burgundy door separating her from whatever awaited in the living room. The sight of the living room lights being off gladdened her heart, but there was the hope He wouldn’t be in yet since he ought to be out working late on a night shift as he had told her just the day before.

Taking in deep breaths, and straightening her gown with her hands, she smiled to herself, Back to hell.

Reaching for the doorknob and slowly fitting the key she had roughed through her bag for earlier, she turned it slowly, hoping her daughter would be asleep, and made her way in with subtle breaths and quickened footsteps meant not to linger against the floor for too long. Reaching for the light switch slapped against the wall to her left, Karen flicked it down and stopped in her tracks as her breath threatened to escape her permanently.

She stiffened all over and tried hard to don the fakest smile mixed with genuine surprise by the sight awaiting her in the darkness. The eyes remained fixated on her, while she tried hard not to bear any form of guilt in hers.

Allen? Karen sounded in surprise. ‘I didn’t know you’d be home? What happened to you working late tonight?"

She glanced at her watch to ascertain it was just some minutes past nine. He remained silent with his arms crossed over his chest, and his forehead bearing a frown as he crossed his legs over and leaned back into the chair. Karen could tell the man wanted something from her; he was waiting for her to speak first but she wasn’t about to and they would both stare oddly at one another until one decided to voice.

I decided to leave work earlier than usual he finally replied before getting to his feet and walking over to the kitchen to get a bottle of cognac.

Karen bobbed her head, chose not to ask any questions as to why as she decided to head off to the bedroom and check on her daughter.

He voiced immediately and caused her to stop in her tracks. ‘Where do you think you’re heading to, woman?"

She lowered her head, clenched her fist around her bag’s handle and bit her lower lip as she heard his footsteps knock against the wooden floor as he approached her.

I had a tiring day and I would like to check on Sasha and simply head off to bed, Karen whispered with a tender sigh meant to hint at her exhaustion.

Allen wipes a smudge of brandy off of his top lip and stood before her so she could stare directly at him even while she continued to look at the ground.

You must really think I’m stupid, he muttered before taking another sip.

Karen slowly looked up with a raised brow, feigning her ignorance as she waited for more information.

I really must look dumb to you for some reason, he continued.

What are you talking about? she asked in a rather subtle tone with no heightened pitch to give off her guilt.

Allen shook his head, stood stern briefly and walked away towards the couch south of where they stood to retrieve a duffle bag Karen recognized immediately to be her own undoing if the man could lay his case well enough.

How come I have never seen any of these? he asked, holding up the bag and its contents for her to see.

The bag, bearing enough evidence against her, contained the G-strings she donned on several nights she had claimed to be out on a business trip, and some rather kinky sex toys her lover fancied using when they got down. There was definitely no escaping the current conundrum and she wondered if she was going to drown with it.

Her husband seemed to be biding his time as he stared at her impatiently. His fists clenched and his lips curled into ones of disgust and anger, but his words remained lacking as Karen weaved through her thoughts for the perfect response to the questions the man was asking.

"Allen, it is nothing,'' she lied through her teeth and reached out to receive the bag from Allen immediately.

He yanked her arm off, tossed the bag into the couch nearest to him and began circling her like a vulture going in for the carcass. I have just one question for you and I sincerely hope you don’t bullshit me!

Karen nodded her head slowly in compliance, awaiting the dreaded question as Allen slowly stopped before her and raised her chin upwards slowly with his fingers.

Who is Vincent Reed? he asked without mincing his words or beating around the bush.

Karen felt her heart stop beating momentarily while she mauled through her thoughts for an answer. Seeing the man knew her lover’s full name, it was silly trying to feign ignorance about the man.

He is just a friend I helped out with some of his art-venturesshe lied casually, breaking her stance to walk to the bedroom in hopes of avoiding some more questions.

Don’t you dare walk away from me while I’m talking to you, woman! Allen yelled yanking at Karen’s arm and dragging her back towards the living room immediately.

Karen screamed, fighting hard against the man’s grip on her wrist before getting herself free.

"You have been messing around behind my back for too long now, and it has to fucking  stop!’ he yelled atop his voice.

Karen stared at him blankly, felt her spine tingle with some fright mixed with relief that he knew and she didn’t have to keep pretending anymore. Yet, she couldn’t outrightly admit to it and so she remained silent.

Is it because he has money now? Allen vented on. Are you fucking that dude because he can buy you some fancy-ass panties and I cannot!?

Karen parted her lips and stepped forward but clamped them shut again. Allen definitely had gotten his facts right about her lover, and there was nothing she would or could say to assuage his worries.

We have a daughter together! he yelled, hoping to remind her. Yet, you’re sleeping around like a common whore for a few bucks!

Karen snapped back immediately in a heightened tone. Don’t you dare insult me! You have no freakin’ right, considering you haven’t been the husband in this relationship or even the worthy father our daughter craves for a while now!

Allen mellowed and slowly retreated for the couch while Karen sighed aloud, turned around and met her daughter’s lost gaze staring right at her.

Mummy, little Sasha called out to her mother.

Karen shook her head and sighed aloud; the air in the house was definitely getting too toxic and something had to give really soon. Apart to her wished she could head back to Vincent’s and spend the night there though, but that would only further complicate things and she wasn’t sure she wanted that. More so, she had a daughter looking up to her to safely pass through the night, while Vincent had his son as well to deal with.

Let’s go to bed sweetie, Karen donned the warmest smile across her face as she leaned towards her daughter and scooped the little girl into her arms.

***

Hyperventilating and staring over her shoulders for the umpteenth time, Karen hurried down the road and ducked behind a large truck as she took some seconds to catch her breath. Sasha stared at her mom without comprehension of why they had hurried off the bus upon arriving in Carson City, and raced down the street like they were being pursued.

Mummy! Sasha called out to her mother.

Karen looked down with a smile, scooped the girl into her arms, and immediately made a beeline towards the hotel she had planned to lay low for a while until everything would blow over. Her mind raced with images and her head, with thoughts of betrayal that had made her a runaway from her own home with her daughter.

She hurried through the front door and headed for the front desk where a lovely looking girl with blonde hair received her warmly. Welcome to one of Carson City’s finest hotels, how may I be of service to you today?

Impatient, while staring out the hotel’s glass wall and into the streets, Karen slipped her hand into her bag and yanked out a bundle of dollar bills, which she slammed into the table and watched the attendant’s eyes widened immediately.

"Give me your best room and I want one that’s discreet enough,'' she whispered

The girl nodded, looked beneath her counter and retrieved two keys before leading the way immediately. Sasha looked calm, which was good enough for Karen, considering the circumstances they were now in. She thought of her husband, Allen, and wished she could have brought him into the loop on things, but that would have gotten things complicated and more so, the man wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with the figure she was running away from.

Here you go, the lady finally stopped, helping Karen to break away from her thoughts immediately as she handed the woman her room key. ‘If you need anything else, just ring me and I’ll… ".

Karen slammed the door behind her immediately, caring less for whatever the attendant was trying to say. All she needed was a safe place to lay low; somewhere He couldn’t find them and where she could think for a few days before figuring out what to do next.

"Whose money is this mummy?’ the little voice broke Karen’s concentration while she peered out the window, as her daughter yanked out some dollar bills from her bag.

She hurried over to retrieve the notes and stuff them back into the bag before smiling and hugging Sasha immediately. They belong to mummy now… it is what we need to make a new life for our self.

She understood the little girl could understand nothing about what she was speaking about and it brought her relief.

We can get anything we want but first, I need you to promise to remain in this room at all times, Karen pulled her daughter away slowly and stared into her eyes.

Sasha nodded gently and planted a kiss on her mother’s cheek before hurrying away to run around the large-sized room with a king-sized bed and a dining area with the perfect view of the surrounding. Karen wore a thin smile, before suddenly jolting in fright as her cell phone rang from her bag, prompting her to race over to see who the caller was.

Wendy Hartgrove! the Caller ID splashed the name across the screen.

Karen felt her thumb stiffen as she contemplated whether or not to pick her best friend’s call. Normally, she wouldn’t break a sweat in doing so, but the circumstances were different and she would be better off keeping off of the lady.

Reluctantly, she finally clamped her thumb hard against the receive'' button, before placing the phone to her ear. What the hell do you want!?"

Karen lowered her tone upon seeing her daughter was nearby and bouncing happily on the bed. She waved at Sasha, hurried towards the bathroom and locked herself inside immediately to continue her call.

You have got some nerve calling me! Karen roared.

Karen… , Wendy’s voice spoke in a whisper. "Calm down for Christ’s sakes!’

Karen fumed, hearing her own breath heighten and continue to do so as she felt infuriated by Wendy reaching out.

Are you two done stabbing me in the back!? Karen asked. "Are you done fucking my man while you