Only Perception

By Anne Marie Citro

Is our perception determined by nurture or nature? Can someone alter our perspective? Or is it so deeply ingrained into our makeup that we can’t see the trees for the forest?
Hanna O’Shea is happily living the life she worked hard to create by following her dreams. She is the fourth child of proud Irish parents who own a successful, family run pub. She strikes out on her own to become the first vegan/vegetarian chef at one of the top ten exclusive restaurants in the city. The imaginative, determined young woman not only captured the coveted job, but she also calls the swarthy, handsome owner her boyfriend. Hanna’s perception of her life couldn’t be any more perfect.
Aidan Flanagan’s perception of Hanna’s life couldn’t be any more different. He would never argue that she isn’t a beautiful, gifted chef, but that is the only thing he would agree on. Her metrosexual boyfriend is a pompous weasel who is using her. To Aidan, Hanna is as naïve as she is driven. He should know, since he has been in love with her for years, and she has no idea. Aidan never pursued Hanna because he struggles with his own personal image, that he was nurtured to believe.
Everything changes the instant Hanna finds herself in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Injured and disillusioned, she runs to Aidan for help. Can they outrun the past, even if it isn’t theirs? Hanna and Aidan have to decide if it is their nature or nurture that will directly, or indirectly, shape who they will become.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anne Marie Citro
• Release date: Feb 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005251864

Anne Marie Citro

Anne Marie Citro grew born and raised in the greater Toronto area of Ontario, Canada. She grew up in a large, loving family. Anne Marie is married to a very patient man. He is the love of her life. They have four very cool sons, and the girls they brought into their family that have become daughters of her heart. She has been blessed enough to finally have a beautiful granddaughter after four sons. She has her own personal gaggle of girlfriends, who enrich her life on a daily basis and make her laugh. Caesar Friday is her favourite day of the week. Caesars with the girls and date night with her hubby. She works with special-needs teenagers, that have taught her how to appreciate life and see it through gentler eyes. Anne Marie was encouraged by her husband to follow her life long dream to write. She loves the characters that take over imagination and haunts her dreams. She loves the arts and she has tried her hand at painting, wood sculpting, chainsaw carving, wood burning, metal and wire sculptures. Yes, her husband is a very patient man! Anne Marie is an avid reader and enjoys about three books per week. But nothing makes her happier then riding on the back of her husband's Harley and throwing her arms out and feeling the wind race by. Anne Marie and her husband take a few weeks every year to travel to spectacular destination around the world. Anne Marie is excited and can't wait to see what the next chapter holds for her life.

Book preview

This book is dedicated to three amazing women, Diane, Enza, and Tina. I recently won an award from Readers’ Favorite for my fifth book, My Beloved Past, and my husband encouraged me to go to Miami to receive the award. At first I balked. I am an extremely shy person outside of my comfort zone. I can hear all the people who know me saying, no way! But it is absolutely true. Going to any event is stressful for me, especially when I have to be front and center. I would rather chew on broken glass. I have to be the first to arrive at a party or I won’t go. When I turned fifty, I promised myself not to put myself in situations I wasn’t comfortable with. It sounds great in theory, but if you have friends like mine, you can promise yourself anything, and that still doesn’t mean they won’t push you beyond your safe zone with the best of intentions.

When I told the girls Tony and I were going to Miami for the awards, Tina said, I’m coming. Enza and Diane concurred—they were also coming. Tony was prepared to stand beside me, but he thought it would be a great experience for the girls to share with me. My husband is a brave man but not brave enough to be stuck in Miami with four crazy broads. Even months afterwards, I still can’t wrap my head around it. I knew my friends were amazing women, but the fact that they were willing to drop everything and leave their families to support and celebrate with me still astonishes me.

I’m not a crier. I used to cry at the drop of a pin, but I lost that ability some years ago. Some of you might think that would be a blessing, but it isn’t. It can be debilitating not being able to express your feelings. The night we sat at my house and booked the flight, it became real. I was totally overwhelmed, and when they left, I cried. How did I get so lucky to have these girls in my life?

In all my years, I don’t think I have ever been more humbled by a group of women. They brought friendship to a whole new level.

I wanted to at least pay for their accommodations, seeing as they were paying for a flight from Toronto to support me, but they wouldn’t allow it. See, I’m crying even while I write this. You girls bring me to tears.

I was so nervous when we got there, but I had commitments to attend, a meet and greet, the Miami book fair, and the awards. They dressed me up, did my hair, and encouraged me to take it all in. They held my hand through each event, for which I will always be eternally grateful. If a heart could break from overwhelming love, mine would be shattered.

We had so much fun, shared so many laughs, and made a lifetime of memories. Alejandro will never know how lucky he was not to be working the first night we had dinner at a restaurant! One too many Moscow Mules and Pinot Grigio.

Anyone can be there during the good times, but it’s the friends who pick you up after you fall, dust you off, then laugh their heads off at you, that make all the difference! Saying thank you doesn’t seem to be enough. I just want you to know I love and respect you girls with all my heart!

Chapter 1

Metro Eric

Hanna opened the thick wooden door of O’Shea’s Irish Pub, rushing into her family’s business in downtown Vancouver. They were having a family meeting, and she was late. Of course, her older sister, Shavon, was the first to point it out.

You know your time isn’t more valuable than the rest of ours, right?

Flustered, she ran her fingers over her pink messenger bag that was slung over her shoulder. Sorry. She went to her mom and dad to hug them. Hi, Dad, Mom.

After kissing his daughter, Hanna’s dad, Cormac, asked, Well, don’t keep us in suspense. Did you get it?

She squealed, I did! I’m so excited. The switch-over starts in two weeks, after I get back from Banff.

Excited, her mom Noreen, clapped her hands. Congratulations! I know how badly you wanted it.

Her brother Ethan was confused. What did you get?

Shavon rolled her eyes. Can you guys talk about it later? I have things to do after this meeting.

Shut up, Shavon, Ethan fired back. Give her a minute.

Hanna lifted her bag over her head and placed it on the back of a chair as she sat down. She pulled her braid back over her shoulder, looking at everyone around the table. First her mom and dad, next her two brothers, Ethan and Jared, then Shavon, and Aidan.

She dipped her head down. She hadn’t known Aidan was going to be here. He was the son of one of her dad’s best friends. Cormac had four best friends growing up, and they were known as the four amigos. Everyone said they were closer than brothers. Three of them had immigrated to different countries, leaving Ireland during The Troubles. One had stayed behind. None of the dads ever talked about why they had left. It was just a topic they refused to discuss.

Aidan’s father had immigrated to Caracas, Venezuela, but the economy had nose-dived, and the country had been destroyed. Aidan’s youngest brother had been murdered, and his father had asked his friends to sponsor his two remaining sons. Aidan had ended up with the O’Sheas three years ago, and he had been living in the basement apartment that Ethan had just moved out of. His brother, Killian, had ended up in Chicago.

Shavon had been smitten with Aidan for as long as any of them could remember. He, on the other hand, was head over heels in love with Hanna. Hence the turmoil between the two sisters.

Hanna explained her excitement. "Eric is giving me the opportunity to create a separate vegan/vegetarian menu. I’m moving up from sous chef to head chef of the vegan/vegetarian side. In two months, VanMag magazine is coming to do a spotlight on my new menu. Someone from the magazine tried one of my vegan specials and loved it. Can you believe it?"

Aidan beamed with pride. Congratulations. That’s quite an honor, especially at your age.

He no sooner finished his sentence than Shavon popped off, "Oh yeah, big accomplishment. She’s sleeping with the owner."

Shavon! Jared snapped. Jealous much?

That’s enough. Cormac slapped the table. Apologize right now, Shavon. I won’t have that kind of talk in here. Hanna is your sister and has worked hard for this opportunity.

Shavon glared at her father. How nice the youngest had the opportunity to explore a culinary degree while the rest of us bust our butts to make sure O’Shea’s remains the top pub in the city. She sneered at Hanna. I’m so proud.

You don’t complain when you get your big, fat paycheck every week and the dividends at the end of the year, Jared shot back.

Shavon pointed at her sister. She gets dividends, too, and she doesn’t lift a finger.

Noreen got into the mix. Shavon, all of us are equal partners. You’ve had the same opportunities as Hanna. You run the kitchen here and change up the menu all the time. You do a great job. O’Shea’s is renowned. Where is all this resentment coming from?

The room became deadly quiet. Everyone knew it was because of Aidan.

Cormac took control of the conversation, changing the topic. We need to get back to why I called you all here. He pulled a report out. I had to file a report with the Vancouver Police Department last night. I was approached in the back alley yesterday in broad daylight. The thugs demanded that I pay protection money, or the pub is going to start having problems.

Jesus, Dad, that’s serious, Ethan stated. Did you recognize them? Could it have been the Red Scorpions or the Big Circle Gang?

Cormac got up and started to pace around. That’s the funny thing. They were Irish. Like, right-off-the-boat Irish, with thick accents, same as your mom and I used to have.

Irish? Aidan asked, fiddling with the case of his phone. I thought most of the gangs in Vancouver were Asian.

They are. Jared got up, proving it by googling gang activity in Vancouver. It says here the only confirmed Irish gang in Canada is West End Gang. They’re out of Montreal.

That’s what the police said, Cormac confirmed. They’re wondering if these idiots are an off-shoot from Montreal. Anyway, the police are handing it over to the RCMP. But in the meantime, they’re going to monitor the pub more closely. I need all of you to be more diligent. I don’t want any of the women putting the garbage out alone, or your mom going to the bank. Noreen, I’ll be doing the banking with one of the boys. Aidan and Hanna, I also want you to be careful.

For sure, Dad.

Aidan responded, I will, but I’m only in the pub for a few days every couple of weeks. Don’t worry about me. Concentrate on the family.

Cormac narrowed his eyes. Sounding rather miffed, he said, You are family, so heed my warning.

Aidan had started his own business six months after arriving in Canada. When he had been a teenager, his family had traveled from Caracas to visit the O’Sheas. The fathers and sons went on a long weekend fishing excursion, and Aidan had gotten hooked. He had used the money his dad had given him and every dime he had been saving since that first trip for just this purpose. Cormac had fronted him the rest of the money.

He owned and operated Majestic Bear Fishing Excursions. He poured his soul into the fishing business. Last fall, one of his regular customers from New York asked him if he could set up a ten-day, no-bait, black bear hunt. Aidan had been sidestepping grizzlies and black bears since he had opened, so he felt confident he could do it. He got the appropriate hunting tags and guidance to lead his first hunt. It was so successful and profitable that he had been booked for two, ten-day trips in both the spring and fall.

He still worked at the pub on his days off, helping to pay off his debt to Cormac. Aidan could see the light at the end of the tunnel. If everything went the way he was hoping with the new bear hunts, his debt would be completely paid by next June. He had managed to put a nice little sum aside and was adding to it after every excursion, so he could hand over the remaining money to Cormac.

Hanna was an animal lover and vegetarian. Needless to say, her tender heart wasn’t happy about the black bear hunt. They argued about it on many occasions. Aidan justified the hunt by telling her the province of British Columbia had the largest black bear population in the world. With no natural predators, the population had exploded to over a hundred thousand. Twenty-two people had died in the last thirty years in attacks, and two hundred and twenty-two people had been injured. He justified the kills by saying hunters took the trophy of the head and skin, and he kept the meat, which he served at his camp throughout the year for his guests. He even brought all the organs, guts, and fat to a natural dog food maker. Nothing of the animal was wasted. He told her time and time again that it was no different than the meat she cooked at the restaurant, except the animals were wild and an even better concept than the free range she boasted about, since they were definitely not inhumanely caged.

It didn’t matter what argument Aidan came up with, Hanna thought it was cruel and that bears were majestic.

Cormac went on, I want everyone to be careful leaving the pub, and to be aware of your surroundings at all times. No one is to go home alone. I’m having the security system here and at home upgraded to a monitored system. The company I called this morning is scheduled to rewire the pub in two weeks and the house in a month.

I’m not questioning your judgment, but aren’t you jumping the gun? Shavon questioned. I mean, they could have just been two morons fresh off the boat who saw something familiar from back home and tried their luck. This isn’t Ireland, Dad.

Irked that they weren’t taking the threat seriously, Cormac walked over to the taps, picked up a glass, and poured himself a Guinness. What have I taught you kids all your life?

In unison, they replied, Don’t trust anyone.

Ahhh. He wiped the foam from his upper lip. That’s right. It must be noon somewhere in the world. Anyone else want a beer?

Aidan and Jared said yes. Everyone else declined, seeing as it was eleven thirty in the morning on a Sunday. Last call was two a.m., and some of them hadn’t gotten out of there until three.

Shavon stood. If you guys are drinking, I’m assuming this meeting is concluded. I have to go. Aidan, if you’re not doing anything this afternoon, I have a few friends coming over for a swim.

The pub was closed every Sunday. Always had been. Always would be.

Thanks. If I get home early, I might join you. I have a lot of things to get done. I have a group of locals flying out tomorrow.

Let’s hope you get everything done, Shavon said excitedly, then she said her goodbyes to everyone and left.

Her moods changed like the West Coast weather; sometimes sunny, but most of the time temperamental.

Hanna got up, and Aidan approached her. You still able to help me pick out the new barbecue grills for the camp today? I have the new chef starting in ten days. That was her one requirement.

If you hurry with your beer. I’m surprising Eric with dinner tonight before we leave for our trip to Banff tomorrow.

Aidan clenched his glass so tightly that he was surprised it didn’t shatter. If you’re too busy, forget it, he said, rather pissy. He hated Eric with every ounce of his being. The guy was one of those metrosexual players, and she had absolutely no clue. That was Hanna—she saw the best in everyone except him. She was as sweet as a newborn baby and just as naïve.

He couldn’t blame the guy for latching on to Hanna the first month after he had hired her. She was stunning at five foot five, with long, jet-black straight hair, and the bluest eyes he had ever seen. Her body was curvy in all the right places, and her skin was snow white. He would have sworn, with that hourglass figure, she was Latin. As beautiful as she was, though, it was her demeanor that drove him wild.

She flew under the radar because she wasn’t an outgoing person. She was sensitive, kind, and loved to listen as much as talk. When she used to waitress at the pub, she made double the tips of any other person on staff because she always had a big, beautiful smile and a kind word for everyone. Hanna had a wicked sense of humor too. Very rarely did she say anything harsh, and if she did, it was because the person deserved it. She was methodical and passionate, especially about the culinary arts. She wasn’t just a chef; she was a chemist, knowing if she put certain things together that they would taste great.

And niñita, little girl as he called her in Spanish, didn’t have a clue she was the whole goddamn box of chocolates.

Bewildered, Hanna replied, Don’t be mad. I thought four hours would be enough. If we run late, don’t worry; Eric doesn’t even know I’m surprising him. We want to have the car loaded so we can leave at five a.m. tomorrow, so we can drive ten and a half hours straight to Banff.

He deflated, knowing he had hurt her by snapping. It wasn’t her fault that the green-eyed monster inside of him had taken over after learning she was going away with Metro Eric.

He scratched the scruff on his chin. I’m not mad, Niñita. Sorry. Just a little freaked out over what your dad said. Anything related to gangs sends me spinning.

Hanna’s heart squeezed, knowing it was because his younger brother, Dermot, had been murdered by Cártel de los Soles. I should have thought of that before I lashed out at you. That was insensitive. Sorry, Aidan.

Mierda—shit—if she thought that was lashing out, she should watch her sister a little closer.

He got up and whispered, Shavon is the bestia, not you, Niñita.

Shavon actually liked being called bestia and loved the fact that Aidan referred to Hanna as niñita. She always told him that, one day, he would find out how much of a bestia she could be. The statement was always accompanied by one of her lustful looks.

He shivered as he reached for Hanna. Let’s go, Niñita, so I can get you back on time.

They decided to leave her car at the pub, seeing as she would be gone for a couple of weeks. He placed her luggage and cooler in the back seat of the cab of his pickup. He would drop her off later at Metro Eric’s when they were done.

She said goodbye to her family and promised her mom that she would be in touch next week.

The shopping went well. Three hours later, they were waiting for the barbecue grills to be loaded into his truck.

Aidan was disappointed that they were finished so soon. He wanted to spend more time with her.

Looking at his phone, he said, We still have an hour, and I owe you big time for helping me decide on the perfect grills. Can I interest you in a blueberry scone and a coconut milk, green tea latté, child’s temperature?

She giggled that adorable little sound that sent shivers down his spine and blood to his lower region.

I would love that. Thank you.

Once the grills were secured, he Google mapped the closest Starbucks.

She was sitting outside at a table while he ordered when Eric texted her.

Eric: Hey, babe, I’m going to be a little later than I thought. Meet me at my place at six in the lobby.

That was okay. She would ask Aidan to drop her off a little later.

The concierge in Eric’s building said if Hanna ever needed to get in the condo and Eric wasn’t home, he would let her in. She had checked once to see if he would help her surprise her boyfriend, and he had been more than happy to help.

Hanna: No problem. I’m so excited. Love you.

Eric: Back at you.

Hanna wasn’t fond of that saying. Eric said it all the time. He had been the first to say he loved her, but since then, it was always back at you. She couldn’t complain too much, though, because he showed her how much he cared and respected her all the time.

Her parents often said they liked how her boyfriend treated their daughter. He was always pampering her, telling her that he thought she was beautiful, even when she looked her worst. He boasted about her being extremely talented and always asked her opinion about things to do with the restaurant. He opened doors and kept his promises.

Eric also had taken a chance on her. She had applied to his famous molecular gastronomy restaurant after getting out of school and having only worked somewhere else for a short stint. She had gone in with her resumé, and, a week later, he had called, asking her to come in for a working interview. She spent the whole week working from sunup to sundown, perfecting the perfect dish to complement his menu. He had been blown away and had hired her on the spot as a sous chef, much to the annoyance of the pompous head chef.

The scrawny, skillful head chef, Oscar, never let her forget she was beneath him. He made her life a living hell, telling her she used her tits to get the job. That couldn’t have been farther from the truth because, when she was working, she wore a man’s large chef’s jacket that swallowed up her figure, along with a bandanna around her head with her hair braided. She was always a sweaty mess. He was just threatened because she was eager, passionate, and could do anything he threw at her.

The minute that Oscar found out she was dating the owner, he dug his heels in and made every shift miserable, almost bringing her to tears on many occasions. She wouldn’t tell Eric, though, because that would put him in an awkward position with the kitchen staff.

Hanna would be thrilled when she didn’t have to work under that idiot anymore. The freedom she would have would be incredible with her own team. She would treat them with respect and kindness, the way a kitchen should be run. No temper tantrums, throwing dishes, and swearing like a sailor.

What are you thinking about so hard, Niñita? Aidan asked, carrying the tray with their coffees and scones.

About my new dream job.

I knew you were lost inside your head, because you didn’t even notice the storm rolling in. He lifted his chin toward the sky.

Jumping Jesus, that looks brutal. The clouds were so black that it was almost like nighttime. The minute she stood the wind picked up.

Both their phones beeped at the same time. They looked at them when they got inside. It was a weather warning from Environment Canada. A severe weather warning had been issued for Vancouver and most of the way up the coastal areas for the next two hours.

Aidan quickly searched Skeena River. Sure enough, it was also under the same warning. Dammit! He hoped his camp would be okay. He had just finished renovating the last of the six, two-man cabins. There were an awful lot of trees on his property.

It looks like the Skeena River area is being hit too, he told Hanna.

Oh no, thank goodness you’re not there. It’s so remote. What if you lost phone service or electricity?

Aidan laughed. They don’t have cell towers in the wilderness, and we don’t have electricity. We rough it.

Her eyes widened. What the heck! How do you cook? Or turn on the lights?

He talked as he opened four pats of butter and slathered it on his sliced scone. We cook on propane or open fires. I have solar panels on each cabin for electricity, but we can only use the batteries for up to four hours a day; otherwise, we use lanterns and candles. The main lodge is on a propane generator and solar panels, because of the freezer for the meat. Once the scone was coated in butter, he scooped out four packets of jam and laid it on thick. "I have a satellite phone in case of emergencies. And Dylan, my pilot from Goose Wings Seaplanes, does a flyby every three to four days to make sure we’re okay.

I forget you were in college while I was building my business. He took a huge bite, then looked up to see why she hadn’t responded.

Very seriously, Hanna asked, Have you been checked for diabetes or high cholesterol?

He screwed up his face. What are you talking about?

Aidan, you just destroyed that scone with about two thousand extra calories and thirty grams of sugar.

Pffft! Come on, we’re Irish descent; that’s how you’re supposed to eat them. Besides, I’m not worried about calories. I work my ass off at the camp. I could use the extra calories and energy.

Hanna didn’t answer. Instead, she screamed when a huge crack of thunder sounded just as lightning struck and torrential rains began to fall. The lights flickered a few times then went off. The beautiful, big umbrella she had just been sitting under blew into a car across the parking lot and shattered the windshield.

"Mierda, that wind is unbelievable."

They sat and watched the storm with the staff and the rest of the customers as different objects flew by. Aidan kept watching to make sure his grills were okay. By the time the storm slowed, the area looked like a bomb had gone off. Garbage and debris were everywhere.

Aidan told her he was going to drop her off now. He wanted to call Dylan and find out if he could do a flyover of the camp to make sure everything was okay.

It took a little longer than they expected to get to the condo because a lot of the streetlights were out. Different areas of the city had also been hit with flooding.

Hanna kept apologizing like she was responsible for Mother Nature and for making him go out of his way. It was starting to get on his nerves. Finally, after fifty-five minutes, he dropped her off in front of a fancy condo downtown.

Have a safe trip, Aidan said from the driver’s side window. He refused to wish her a good time because, truth be told, he didn’t want her to have fun. He wanted it to be a disaster, so Mr. Fucking Metro Eric would get out of the damn picture.

Hanna held her luggage in one hand and the cooler in the other. Thanks. I hope Dylan from Goose Wings Seaplanes—cool name, by the way—reports everything is okay. See you in a couple of weeks. She turned in all her glory and excitedly glided between the revolving door.

Aidan shouldn’t have looked. Now he was even more pissed.

He pushed the Bluetooth and called Dylan. The young pilot reported his contact in the area said they had been hit with a brutal storm. He would definitely head out as soon as it cleared to check on the camp. Aidan asked him to wait until he could go with him. They might as well drop off the grills at the same time. It was only a three-hour round trip. They would be back long before sunset.

Hanna walked in and saw Tom, the concierge, by the door.

Hey, Hanna, you’re earlier than I thought you would be. I just came on shift a little while ago. What a storm, eh?

Hi, Tom. Yeah, it was crazy. Any damage here?

Yup. Maintenance is going crazy. The morning guy is still working because I have to go around and check all the reports of damage. So far, we had seven windows damaged.

Wow, that’s insane. Don’t worry about me. I’ll just wait here until you have a spare minute. Eric’s coming home late anyway, so I have lots of time, Hanna said, placing her suitcase and cooler next to the couch.

Tom walked over and picked them up. Don’t be silly. I need to go check another condo, so I can run you up quickly. Just don’t tell anyone I did. I could lose my job, he whispered.

I don’t want you to get in any trouble because of me.

He smiled, extending his hand toward the elevator and telling her he didn’t mind doing it for her. He stopped to tell his coworker that he was carrying Hanna’s suitcase up before he checked the next report. The man asked if she was the Hanna who made all the treats they all enjoyed. When Tom said yes, the man thanked her and told her that the coconut almond balls were his favorite.

When the elevator door closed, Tom pushed the button for the twenty-first floor and said, Not many people treat us with any respect, so when someone is as kind as you, we like to return the favor.

It’s easy to be nice to people. My mom also says treat people the way you want to be treated. It just makes the world a better place to live in.

Tom agreed. From your lips to God’s ears.

The elevator dinged, and then he guided her to Eric’s condo. He unlocked the door with his master key and placed her stuff inside the door. Have a nice night, Hanna.

Thank you again, Tom. It was so sweet of you. See you later. She closed the door, then dragged the cooler into the kitchen to unpack the cold stuff. She had splurged and bought Dungeness crab. She had something special up her sleeve for Eric. Her meal would be the same, minus the crab.

She had just shut the fridge when she heard a whine. Hanna jumped, holding her chest. Eric said he was taking his cat to be boarded for the next two weeks; was it possible he had forgotten?

Hanna went in search of Mr. Bojangles, one of those hairless cats. The cat had an attitude, that was for sure. After all the times she had been here, it still hid every time she came around.

Hanna was getting close to Eric’s bedroom when she heard, Take it. All of it, bitch!

Her heart nearly stopped as her hands began to shake. It sounded like Eric’s voice.

Oh my God, he must have a woman in there.

No, it couldn’t be possible. Not her Eric. He would never do that to her. He was a complete gentleman. He loved her.

Back at you!

Maybe he had left the TV on. He liked to watch porn, said it got him excited.

Do you want me to fuck that little ass harder?

This was not happening. That was definitely Eric’s voice. He was cheating on her.

Hanna felt like she was in a vortex as her feet continued forward of their own accord. She had to confirm with her own eyes, or she would always question the truth. They had so many plans.

She knew the minute she pushed the door open that her world was going to come crumbling down. She would lose the man she loved, the job that had been heaven sent, and a piece of her soul for being so gullible.

With a shaking hand, she gently moved it. The thumping of the headboard was already verification of what she knew she was going to witness. It was like she had to catch him in the act to punish herself for being so naïve.

Ever so slowly, the door fully opened, and she saw Eric kneeling on the bed behind someone. His curly, blond hair and back were soaked with sweat. He was pounding with such great force that it seemed he was either going to break the bed or his lover. The woman obviously gave him a better workout than she did.

The muscles in his ass were clenched tightly but not as tightly as her heart. She had to hold it in her chest so it didn’t shatter all over the floor. Was it one of the waitresses, or maybe one of those hoity-toity hostesses whose skirts were so tight they could barely walk?

A painful cry escaped her mouth.

Startled, Eric whipped his head around and saw her. Hanna! he screamed. What the hell are you doing here?

Hanna? Oscar mumbled from the sheets, trying to lift his head from the submissive position Eric had pinned him in.

Her hands flew to her mouth. He wasn’t cheating on her with a waitress; it was the goddamn chef!

With a misery-filled screech, she asked, Oscar? You’re screwing Oscar! He’s a man! Like that wasn’t totally obvious from their naked bodies.

Losing complete control, she backed up. You never loved me! It was all a lie.

Eric was scurrying off the bed, panicking. As he quickly reached the doorway, he said, Hanna, stop! I can explain.

Explain? Have you lost your ever-loving mind? She pushed at his chest with all her might. He barely moved an inch. I’m never talking to you again.

He grabbed her arm and yanked her hard. Yes, you are. There’s a lot at stake here.

He was using so much force that she knew she would have bruises.

Her face scrunched up. What? My job? I don’t give a crap about my job. She leaned forward, yelling in his face, I’m done!

Eric grabbed her shoulders, shaking her until her teeth rattled. No, we’re not. You’re going to pretend you never saw this. In two weeks, we’ll come back, Oscar will be gone, and we’ll go on like normal.

Like hell we will. Let me go! Pulling hard, she tried to get away. You’re certifiable. Let me go!

Eric lifted his arm and slapped her across the face with enough force that her head snapped back and stars danced in her eyes.

He let her body fall to the ground and started to kick her. You’ll do what I goddamn tell you to do, or I’ll kill you.

Each blow hurt like a son of a bitch. Eric had lost his mind. He was pummeling the daylights out of her. He yanked her up by the braid and let his fists take over. He stayed mostly away from her face, but the rest of her body was free game. The odd time, he would catch the underside of her jaw.

She didn’t know how long it went on, but Oscar suddenly pulled him off her. You’re going to kill her. Stop!

He turned his rage on Oscar.

Hanna knew it was now or never. She had to get out.

While the two men fought, she painfully crawled toward the front door. Carefully, she lifted her upper body to turn the knob. She clamped down on the inside of her cheek to stop the scream that threatened to escape from the excruciating pain and instantly tasted blood, but it was a sacrifice she had to make to keep quiet.

She had made it to the stairwell door when she heard Eric scream her name.

Her adrenaline must have kicked in, because she hoisted herself up and pushed through the door. Hanna only made it down three steps, gripping the railing, before he burst through the door.

He stepped down toward her in his jogging pants, T-shirt, and shoes. You ruined everything, you stupid little bitch. If you accidentally fall down the stairs and kill yourself, they can’t blame me. I’m actually being kind, because if they got their hands on you after you ruined the plan, you would be mincemeat. I’ll see you in hell, bitch. He lifted his foot and kicked out.

Hanna took the hit right in the chest, releasing her grip. She went flying down the flight of concrete stairs.

She felt every painful hit. When her flailing limbs stopped on the landing, she smacked her head hard.

Everything went black.

Chapter 2

Vegetarian or Pescatarian

Hanna heard someone calling her name, but the pain made it difficult to concentrate. In pure agony, she opened her eyes. It was Tom.

Hanna, what happened? he rushed out. "Are you okay? I opened the door from the floor below and