His Word...Deception

By Carol Delmornay

Levi Webber, billionaire real estate mogul, tore through my life like a hurricane, leaving a devastating path of destruction in his wake. 

He introduced me to the decadent desires of the flesh. 

Him and Sebastian deliciously tormented my body, pushing me to heights of ecstasy I never dreamed possible. 

Levi promi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carol Delmornay
• Release date: Mar 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781649456625

Carol Delmornay

Carol Delmornay is a married mother of three, born and raised in the beautiful city of Perth, Western Australia. She and husband Mark moved to a small town in the Goldfields region of Western Australia in December 2015 to renovate their home, and design their gardens. Always a veracious reader, the urge to write didn't hit until later in life. In between attending her children's sporting activities and running a business with her husband, Carol poured many hours, blood, sweat and tears into her first four book series---"His Word-The Trusted Saga". Carol also enjoys writing erotic short stories for her Facebook page---Seductive Angel's Devilish Desires. Carol spends all her spare time writing and listening to music, swimming, walking and enjoying the peaceful life of the country.

Book preview

Chapter Two

Levi

"MOTHERfucking-son-of-a-fucking-bitch," I growled, trying to untangle myself from Simon’s death grip, while he dragged me down the hallway of Buchanan’s residence.

Keep fucking moving, or you’re gonna end up with a 9mm slug in the back of your skull, Simon retorted sharply.  You’re no fucking good to her dead, he added in a hash whisper near my ear for added incentive.

If he so much as touches one fucking hair on her head, he’ll be the one dead, I vowed silently.  The level of rage building inside of me was reaching an alarming level, and I was breathing like I’d just gone ten rounds in the boxing ring with Mohammed fucking Ali.

I threw a look over my left shoulder, and saw the barrels of Chalmer’s Glock, and some angry looking piss-ant’s 9mm Luger locked firmly on the back of my head. Motherfuckers.

When Simon finally pushed me back through the front door of Buchanan’s mansion, I squinted from the direct sunlight hitting me in my eyes, and I brought my hand up to shield them from the intense glare.

The barrels remained trained at the back of my head all the way down to the opened gates. Clive was standing with his arms folded across his enormous chest, and one foot planted on the chest of one of Buchanan’s guards squirming around on the ground, while the other was still holding the side of his face, and moaning like a pussy from a suspected broken jaw. 

When his eyes locked onto the revolvers aimed directly at me, his arms loosened, and I knew he was about to draw his own weapon.

Clive, I barked, get in the SUV.  We’ve outworn our welcome.

Clive kept one eye on Chalmers, and the piss-ant as he made his way over to the driver’s side, and opened the door, his right hand flexing readily in the event he was required to draw his own firearm. 

Simon grabbed the front passenger side door, just as I opened the rear one, and climbed in.  As soon as both our doors were slammed shut, Clive flattened the accelerator, and tore out of the driveway, tires squealing to leave the acrid smell of burnt rubber, and choking blue smoke in our wake. 

My vision clouded with a red haze of increased hatred for Buchanan, while his parting declaration played on loop through my head.  Not one fucking hair on her head, I pledged, clenching my hand into a tight fist.

YOUR MESSAGES, MR. Webber, Audrey’s cool, clipped, and professional tone greeted me as I strode up to her desk.

With a sigh, I reached out and took the pile from her outstretched hand, wondering how long it was going to take for her to thaw out.  From the look in her steely blue eyes, I didn’t like the odds of it happening anytime soon.

Thank you, Audrey.

"This afternoon, I had the unfortunate task of informing Angelica that you were too busy to talk to her," Audrey said frostily, and I winced.

I’d always told Angelica I was never too busy for her. 

How many times has she tried calling? I asked curiously.

Just the once, Audrey replied sharply.  From the disbelieving tone of her voice, and the slight wobble I detected in it, I highly doubt she’s going to try calling you again.

Fuck.

I apologize for putting you in that position, Audrey.

She pinned me with a frosty glare, and firmed her lips.

"I’m not the one you should be apologizing to," she snapped in irritation.

Adjust your attitude, Audrey, I snapped back, losing all patience after the day I’d had.  You don’t know all the facts, and before you ask what I can already see is the first question of many in your eyes, I will not be informing you of them, either.

Audrey clamped her lips shut, and reached out for her tablet.  That reminds me.

Can you arrange for a locksmith to meet me at Fifi’s residence at six o’clock, please? 

Audrey’s brow creased as her eyebrows rose.

Changing the locks already, Mr. Webber? she questioned with a snarky tone.  I wouldn’t think Angelica has access to that address.

Installing one, I retorted angrily.  "So I don’t have to put up with an unwanted visitor during the night ... I am a married man, if you recall."

I left my ill-mannered personal assistant, with her mouth gaping open behind her desk, and stalked down to my office, clenching the bundle of messages in my fist.

When I entered, Audrey’s voice floated crisply through the intercom.

Mr. Neaves is on the line for you, Mr. Webber.

Thank you, Audrey, I responded with a short tone, taking a seat behind my desk.

As soon as I picked up the phone, I heard him bark down the line.

"What in the fuck are you doing?" Sebastian exploded angrily.

I’m protecting Angelica, I answered dryly.

"Not from where I’m sitting, you’re not ...now tell me what in the fuck is going on," he demanded.

After filling Sebastian in on exactly who Angelica was, and the threat Fifi posed to her, Sebastian was flabbergasted.  But when I informed him I was moving in with Fifi, I had to hold the phone away from my ear, or he would have deafened me.

"You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, Webs ... you’re living there ... with her?" he asked incredulously like he thought I’d finally lost my shit.

"Arrowsmith recommended this course of action, I responded dryly.  How is she, Seb?"

Distraught, he answered honestly, and my chest tightened.

Once I informed Sebastian Angelica’s calls will not be accepted, and entry to the building will be denied if she tried, explaining Fifi’s threat to release Buchanan’s movie of her if I so much as even tried to speak with her, I begged him for one last thing.

Look after her, Seb, I implored.

"JESUS, fucking, Christ, I muttered when I turned into the street housing the Jackson estate.  What crevice are all these blood sucking fucking leaches crawling out of," I growled aloud inside my car with a deepening scowl. 

The paparazzi numbers had swollen to at least triple the amount from this morning. My vehicle was swarmed ... swallowed up in the surging swell of flashing camera’s being held aloft, as I waited an eternity for the damned automatic wrought iron gates to open.  If they know what’s good for them, none of them better DARE try to follow me through these fucking gates, or I’ll fucking run the bastards over.

Turning into the driveway of the estate once they’d fully opened, my jaw started aching from being clenched so viciously in anger.  I should be going home to my damned wife, not pulling up in this fucking hell-hole to come home to Fifi ... no, not home ... this place will NEVER fucking be home.

My hostility toward Fifi grew with every foot I drove closer to the front door.  Then, I simultaneously groaned, and sent up a silent thanks to God.  Seeing my sister Emma’s black Mercedes parked to the left brought out my groan. 

Eyeing the locksmith’s van parked off to the right counteracted that a little, and resulted in my thanks being sent up to the man upstairs. 

At least I know there’ll be no way she can get in my damned room, and I don’t have to sleep with one fucking eye open.

Killing the engine, I reached for the handle on the door with one hand, grabbing my briefcase in the other, and swung it open.

Mr. Webber? a portly gentleman with a cropped beard inquired as I got out.

I flicked a glance at the name written with cursive strokes on the side of the van.  Bevan Henderson-Locksmith.

Yes, I extended my hand, which he shook with a stronger grip than I was expecting. Mr. Henderson?

Please, just call me Bevan, he grinned.  "Calling me Mr. Henderson makes me feel like I’m my old man, he chuckled, and I couldn’t help but join in.  Bit of a nightmare getting in here this evening, Mr. Webber, he commented, with a pointed look back down to the gates at the posse of vultures, and I grimaced in acknowledgement.  I’m glad the gates open when they detect a vehicle.  How many locks need changing, Sir?"

Levi, I offered casually, and I only need one lock installed.

All of this, just for one lock? Bevan asked, raising his brow in a mixture of confusion, and astonishment.

Believe me, I snorted, there’s nothing more important than this one damned lock, I assured him. Follow me ... I’ll show you which room.

Bevan slung the strap of his bag up over his shoulder, and followed me up the steps to the front door.  I rolled my head as I gripped the handle, mentally preparing myself for God only knows what, that was waiting for me on the other side of the door.

Luck seemed to be on my side for a change.  When I opened the door, Fifi, and Emma, were nowhere to be seen.  Thank, fucking, Christ.

I took the stairs two at a time, eager for Bevan to install the lock that will assist in me getting some sort of sleep, before Fifi finds out, and all hell breaks loose.  And after the day I’ve had today, I’d end up finishing what I started that landed me in this fucking predicament in the first damned place.

Bevan was proficient in his craft, and had the lock installed on the door of the guest suite I’d chosen, in no time flat.

All done, Levi, he declared, extending his hand with the key.  I’ll see myself out.

Thank you, Bevan, I responded gratefully.  It is a strong one, isn’t it? I asked wryly, and he chuckled.

One of the best, he assured me before he picked up his bag, and slung it back over his shoulder.

I heard him traipse down the stairs, and the front door close behind him when he left.  I pulled the door of my suite closed, and inserted the key.  Twisting it, I smiled when I heard the crisp snip that indicated it was well, and truly, secure.

Levi?  Are you home, darling? Fifi called out up from the bottom of the stairway.

I grimaced at the syrupy tone of the endearment I heard her use, and pocketed the key, without answering her.  Rolling my head from side to side one more time, I knew I couldn’t put off the inevitable any longer, and I made my way down the stairs.

"You are home, she stated with an unshakable smile that made me cringe.  I thought I heard the door."

She approached me in an attempt to act out the loving couple reunited scene to the hilt, but that’s where I drew the line firmly in the sand. I sidestepped, and evaded her embrace, bringing a brief scowl to her brow, and flecks of anger to dance through her cobalt blue irises. 

Emm, what are you doing here? I questioned with intrigue, stooping down to give my petite, five-foot-nothing little sister, a quick, one-armed hug, completely ignoring the miffed look in Fifi’s eyes.

Nice to see you, too, Lurch, she grinned, craning her neck to look up at me when she used her childhood nickname for me, and I rolled my eyes.

Really, Emma? You’re still going to call me that? I sighed.

Yep, she giggled, and looped her arm through one of mine, while I shook my head.

Okay ... Munchkin, I retaliated with my adolescent nickname for her with a cheeky grin, and she huffed in irritation, her brunette bob swishing into her face when she spun her head to glare up at me.

Fine ... I’ll lay off with the Lurch, if you lay off with the Munchkin, she pouted with annoyance, her collagen-filled lips making her look like a duck.

Deal, I agreed with a widening grin as she walked me toward the kitchen.

Fifi sidled up to my free side, and linked her arm through my other arm.  I extricated my arm, and tossed her a ferocious glare.  Daggers flew at me from her soulless, icy blue eyes, subtly warning me to watch my step, and I clenched my jaw when her arm returned. 

The touch of her hand on my arm had my skin crawling with disgust, and made me want to scrub myself in the shower to remove any residue of her touch, as soon as possible.  But, for now, I had to put up with it, or I’d risk alerting Emma that something was wrong.

"Would you like a wine, darling, Fifi drawled, emphasizing the sickly endearment as she caressed the top of my forearm, and I suppressed a shudder.  We can celebrate the first night of our long-awaited reunion."

I almost snorted derisively, but caught myself in time, biting my tongue.  The underlying suggestive tone of her words indicated how she thought we were going to celebrate tonight.  Not on your fucking life, Fifi.  Thank God that damned lock has been installed.

Let’s take a wine outside, Emma implored.  It’s so nice out there, and it will give us a chance to ... catch up, she grinned up at me, and I groaned disparagingly. 

Emma has always been one of Fifi’s advocates.  I was dreading what sort of catch up she was referring to.  When Fifi rubbed her palm along the top of my forearm, I had to really restrain myself from sneering at her.

Why don’t you go on out, and I’ll bring you your glass of wine, darling, Fifi offered sweetly, and I almost gagged, but settled on shooting her another stern glare.

Good idea, I mumbled, and immediately pulled my arm out of her grip.  Make it a big glass, I added without looking back in her direction, before I grabbed Emma’s hand to drag her outside.

Once I pulled her through the sliding door, I pulled a chair out for Emma, and seated her.  Releasing a tired sigh, I pulled one out for myself, and dropped heavily down on the seat.

You look stressed, Emma observed quietly.

I am, I confirmed, and brought my hand up to cup around the back of my neck, before I rolled my head from side to side.  "Fuck," I groaned when a loud crack jolted through the length of my vertebrae. 

You still seem to be quite newsworthy, I see, she smirked, referencing the number of cretins camped out the front, and I released a snort of derision.

The sliding door slid open, signaling Fifi’s presence, and the level of tension inside of me increased.  I need a fucking massage.  I pressed the tips of my fingers in along the muscles down one side of my neck, and moved them in a small circle as Fifi placed the fluted glass down in front of me. 

I’m so glad you finally came to your senses, big brother, Emma commented idly, before she picked up her glass.  Now, maybe your stress levels will decrease, and things can get back to normal for you.

My spine straightened, and my stress level shot straight up to ten.  Is she fucking kidding me?  But before I could get one word out, Fifi added her two cents worth to the one-sided conversation.

He just had an itch for a younger woman that he needed to scratch, she interjected breezily, and I clenched my jaw, sending a glare in her direction that plainly told her she was skating on very thin ice.

My private affairs have nothing to do with you, Emma, I bit out.

Her ridiculously penciled brows shot up, and she opened her mouth, ready to retort, but the intense look I sent her way conveyed she better not push it ... and it had her shutting it again, while I picked up my glass, and drained half of the contents. 

She knew exactly what my glowering look meant from our childhood.  She’d been on the receiving end of my ire on more than one occasion when she pushed me too far.

"All I’m saying is, I’m glad you, and Fifi, are finally back together, she scowled.  You’re perfect for each other ... you’re the powerhouse couple," she reminded me with emphasis.

I drained the rest of the contents of my glass.

Drop it, Emma, I warned with a growl as I slammed the glass back down on the table with almost enough force to snap the stem, and rose from my seat.

You know, you’re giving Mother gray hairs with all this swapping, and changing you’re doing, Levi.

I slammed both hands down on the table hard enough that my empty glass jumped, while I pinned her with an I’ve-reached-my-limit-so-don’t-fucking-push-your-luck scowl, as I leaned on my hands.

Mind your own fucking business, Emm, I warned heatedly, just barely maintaining control of my temper. 

Emma raised one brow in curiosity, while her large, hazel eyes flicked from me, to Fifi, and back again.  Then her brows drew together in confusion, and her eyes lit up with questions.

"You did choose to come back to Fifi, didn’t you, Levi?" she asked haltingly, as if a light bulb moment had just hit her like a lightning bolt out of the blue.

I heard Fifi suck in a quiet, and anxious breath, and I shot her a glance.  Her face was pale, and it was paling further, and further by the second while I stared at her.  She understood the glint she saw in my eye, and started to shake her head from side to side, narrowing her cold blue eyes, silently warning me not to say anything.

Jesus Christ ... I’m so fucking tempted ... but I need to protect Angelica ... she’s my number one priority.  Her secrets need to be kept under wraps. I can’t risk it.

"I guess you could say I chose to return to Fifi," I ground out in reply, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my tone.

She didn’t give my any other fucking choice, I added silently, while I pushed up off the table.  Emma visibly relaxed, satisfied with my answer. Fifi’s triumphant smirk didn’t improve my mood, and I grit my teeth together.

I’m going to go and take a shower, I informed Emma as I straightened up, curling my fingers in and out into fists by my sides.

I walked around, and dropped a quick kiss down on the top of Emma’s head to say goodbye, and shot one last disdainful look in Fifi’s direction, before I left them to talk amongst themselves at the table.

I re-entered the house, and extracted the key from my pocket, bounding up the stairs to unlock my bedroom door.  First thing I need to do is leave Fifi’s copy of our new contract in her room ... and there is no time like the present ... while she’s occupied. 

Crossing over the threshold of my door, I stalked straight over to my briefcase.  Putting in the digital code, the locks disengaged, and I dove my hand inside to extract her copy. I strode down the hall to her room, opened the door, and walked straight over to place it in the middle of her bed ... somewhere she won’t miss seeing it. 

Leaving her room, I closed her bedroom door behind me, and returned to my suite.  After locking the door, I shed my clothes on my way to the bathroom, casually throwing them across the corner of the bed on my way passed. 

I was looking forward to drowning the tension in my neck under steaming hot water.  Turning on the taps, I released a sigh while I waited for the water to get hot, and tilted my head from one side to the other, wincing when the vertebrae in my neck gave off another loud crack, and sent a spasm of pain to shoot straight through to my shoulders.  God, I need this, I groaned.

Chapter Three

Fifi

"He was a little testy," Emma remarked, taking a sip of her wine after Levi stalked back inside the house.

You know what he’s like with the paparazzi, I replied with a practiced smile. 

So, does this reunion mean the wedding’s back on? Emma asked excitedly.

Not with him already married to that fucking bitch, I groused internally.  But I didn’t trust Emma ... not that much.  Even with all the heated exchanges between Levi and her over the years, blood is thicker than water. 

If Emma was ever made aware of the circumstances behind our so-called reunion, she wouldn’t hesitate in choosing Levi’s side, as would Caitlyn, and Georgia ... and all four of the Webber’s clan ganging up on me - with Sebastian joining their ranks, no doubt - I’d be seriously outnumbered, and my reputation would end up in tatters.  No ... I have to tread very carefully. 

Not at the moment, I answered measuredly, taking another sip from my glass.  Give us some time ... he’s only just come back to me this morning, I pointed out with a raised brow.

You’re right, Emma agreed.  "It’ll probably take a little time for both of you to get ... reacquainted," she smirked with a suggestive, and exaggerated, wink.

Yes, I agreed with a smirk.

And with what I have planned for tonight ... that will happen sooner than he thinks.  If he thinks he can use the fact that he’s a married man as any sort of an excuse, he can have another think. I highly doubt that stupid little bitch was enough to satisfy a man like Levi, anyway.

What’s this Angelica woman like? Emma asked curiously.  Georgie, Cait, and I never actually got to meet her.  Mother did ... but she didn’t share much of her opinion of her.  I’ve seen pictures of the woman, so I know what she looks like ... which really surprised us all, actually, she mused, taking another sip of her drink.  Levi’s always dated tall blondes as far back as I can remember ... he’s never dated short, curvy women with jet-black hair.

Just the mere mention of that bitch’s name was enough to evoke the level of animosity I held toward her to raise up a few notches.  Fucking home-wrecking little whore. 

My grip tightened on the stem of the wine glass in my hand, and I had to make a conscious effort not to let my hatred for the bitch show on my face. 

Maybe it’s time to feed Emma just a little tidbit of information. I know she’ll certainly pass it on to Georgia, and Caitlyn. And it’ll stir that famous Webber streak of curiosity they’re all known for.

She, apparently, was a lowly kitchen hand, I revealed quietly, screwing the top of my nose up as if an acrid smell just invaded my nostrils, and unable to keep the contempt from reaching my voice.

A kitchen hand?  Where? Emma questioned with a frown, a little shocked. And how in the hell did Levi meet her if she’s a kitchen hand?

In a hospital, I confirmed.  But from what I have learned, she moved onto an office job ... doing accounts, or something, in some mining company, I repeated what I’d learned from Kiara. 

Annoyance crept in.  Kiara didn’t ... or wouldn’t ... divulge any further information.  I really wish she’d told me the name of the damned company.  Then I internally scoffed.  Kiara had said it wasn’t worth the retaliation from that bitch, and she would put me on my ass without a moment of hesitation. 

Well, now I have something that will well, and truly, do more than put HER on her ass.  And if Levi thinks I won’t use that disgusting DVD I have of his precious little girl, he’s in for a shock. 

Then, a frown began to mar my forehead.  Nathan is now going to be an extremely formidable force to be reckoned with, perhaps even dangerous.  He’ll most certainly be out for my blood after stealing one of his movies.  Especially one I instinctively knew was so important to him – that was definitely confirmed after that disastrous meeting with him at his office.  

I’ll have to be careful.  The look of fury on his face put the wind up me.  He looked like he wanted to kill me.  Hiring Seaton, or the brick as Nathan christened him, as my personal bodyguard, was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Thinking back, the fact that I had the opportunity to pilfer the movie, still amazed me.  Being permitted into his house under the guise of an upcoming meeting, was a stroke of genius on my part.  And the open cupped corset I chose to wear beneath the color-matched, wispy-laced top that day, certainly helped.  I know it showed off the perfectly proportioned C cup size of my breasts.  Damned things cost me a small bloody fortune, but that was certainly money well spent, I surmised.

Those drooling idiot security guards couldn’t take their eyes off of them, and they let me in to roam, unattended, inside Nathan’s residence.  That gave me the lucky break I desperately needed, to gain possession of that sordid little movie. They both disappeared pretty quickly.  Rumors abounded as to their fate.

My lips tried to stretch into a triumphant smile, but I put a firm lid on it in the company of Emma.  In retrospect, I should thank Stacey, immensely.  If it wasn’t for her dogged insistence that I come to a soiree at her friend