Truth in Lies: Truth & Lies Duet

By Maggie Kay

COLE 

 

She is tortured and broken, lost and all alone.

I have no choice, I am obliged to help her, as a favor to my closest friend.

Now I am burdened with her nightmares, drowning in all her tears.

She is broken, just like me. 

Olivia is devastatingly beautiful and undeniably strong, and I fear I have come to need her more than I need my next breath.

 

OLIVIA 

"The truth will always haunt me, even though it's set me free."

I am trapped in the darkness, buried under a lifetime of lies, 

Cole rescued me. He protected me, and he is helping me heal, 

but he doesn't know all of my secrets, the ones that haunt me in my dreams. 

I was abandoned and sold into a life that took away all my choices.

Now I know the truth, I can start to make peace with my past, but how can I trust him? How can I open my heart when all I know is pain and betrayal?  All I've even known are lies.

 

Olivia Johansson's traumatic past has left her not knowing who she is and where she belongs in the world. When Cole Prescott finds her and starts to unravel the truth behind all the years of lies, he tries to gain Olivia's trust and help her rehabilitate. However, he has his own demons to fight. 

If Cole opens up his guarded heart to Olivia, he also opens up the possibility of losing her.  Forever.

 

Truth in Lies is the first book in the Truth & Lies Duet. A devasting beautiful and haunting romance that will leave you breathless.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maggie Kay
• Release date: Nov 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201291617

Book preview

Truth in Lies

MAGGIE KAY

Truth in Lies

Truth & Lies Duet Book 1

Maggie Kay

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

Copyright © 2019 by Maggie Kay

First paperback edition 2019

ISBN 978-0-6485681-0-0  (paperback)

ISBN 978-0-6485681-1-7 (eBook)

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Edited by Pam at Love2ReadRomance

Formatting & Book Cover - Love2ReadRomance & Matador Graphic Design

PR Team - Blushing Book Promotions

www.maggiekauthor.wordpress.com.com

For more information, address: [e-mail]

DISCLAIMER

Warning this book contains graphic language, sensitive subject matter, violence and sexual content which is intended for mature audiences 18 years and older.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Disclaimer

Chapter 1 | Death of the Devil

Chapter 2 | Dudley Estate

Chapter 3 | Whiskey and Nightmares

Chapter 4 | Blood From a Stone

Chapter 5 | Curiosity Killed the Cat

Chapter 6 | Lost in the Melody

Chapter 7 | Secrets Wrapped in Leather

Chapter 8 | The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 9 | Truth Behind the Lies

Chapter 10 | The Aftermath

Chapter 11 | Letters to the Dead

Chapter 12 | Champagne Courage

Chapter 13 | Whisper Kisses

Chapter 14 | Ashes to Dust

Chapter 15 | Showered Affections

Chapter 16 | Priceless Possessions

Chapter 17 | Reflections

Chapter 18 | Past Afflictions

Chapter 19 | Bitter Sweet Release

Chapter 20 | Confessions of the Heart

Chapter 21 | Kings and Their Castles

Chapter 22 | Mistletoe and Mojitos

Chapter 23 | Revenge and Resolutions

Chapter 24 | Feel it in My Bones

Chapter 25 | Broken Promises

Epilogue

About the Author

Author Bio

Chapter 1

Death of the Devil

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OLIVIA

Every Sunday at 8pm like clockwork he would come, he would always come alone, and he would always leave alone. It has been this way for as long as I can remember. Each time I had been locked away and silenced, silenced by threats, and silenced with fear.

Today must be a Sunday as I can hear footsteps coming down the hall, followed by a familiar voice, one that I’d heard so often but never seen its owner.

Father, are you down here? The footsteps grow closer to the parlor. I already know his face. His pictures decorate the long dark halls and top the mantles within the manor. He is Jonathan Eli Hawk. My master’s son.

As I sit alongside the cold, lifeless body that was once my master, his chest has stopped the slow rise and fall, no more breaths, no more orders, no more him. Now all that remains is my pain.

The door pushes open and Jonathan enters, silent at first, mouth slightly open, face paling. He settles on the scene before him, frozen with what looks to be disbelief, his head shakes back and forth like he can’t believe what he is seeing. Dad?  He stutters, his eyes questioning, pausing for a long moment as though the dead man on the floor would rise up to answer him.

What did you do? Who are you? Is he dead? You killed him? The questions came fast in concession Fuck! What the hell is going on? He rushes over to us but abruptly stops with his hand coming up under his nose.

Oh God. He chokes. How long has he been like this? I try to speak, but no words come out, I can’t form them with my breathing so shaky and throat so dry. Large hands jerking my shoulders bring my eyes from the floor to the steely gray of Jonathan’s glare. Answer ME! he barks.

Bowing my head, I move to my knees, sitting back with my palms facing outward resting in my lap, just like I have been taught. I .... I ... I’m sorry Sir, Master collapsed, he was holding his chest. I speak softly as my eyes remain on the floor. I couldn’t help him. A tear runs down my cheek dropping onto the floor betraying me. I didn’t. I stop myself, I can’t say it, not out loud, he will probably hurt me. My exhaustion and hunger takes over the last of my strength as I lose grip on my emotions.

YOU DIDN’T WHAT? Jonathan screams.

I didn’t help him. I take a deep inhale before continuing. I let him die, I let Master die, I confess. I wanted him to die. Looking him in the eye, I plead with him. Please, I don’t want to be punished anymore. My pitiful confession echoes throughout the room.

What the fuck? Master? Jonathan tenses creasing his brows. Why the hell would I punish you? he yells again, making my heart thump like drums beating in my chest. He pauses for a moment contemplating me, my silence is so deafening it thickens the air with tension. Marching back towards me like a man on a mission, he stops just in front of me, bending to my level. I will not punish you. He sighs. Just calm down and look at me. I suck in a breath flinching when his hand comes up to my face. I’m surprised when the blow to the face that I am expecting doesn’t come, instead his finger and thumb pinches gently on my chin then tilts it up so I am face to face with him.

Look at me! he demands but keeps his voice low this time. Who are you, and why are you calling my father master? he asks with a sternness that reminds me of his father.

He makes me call him that, I answer softly. "I am his to do with as he wishes. When I look up at him through the veil of my tears, there is a look of horror mixed with disgust on his face, and it is like a kick to my stomach as the realization of what I am comes to him.

Oh, oh my God! He stands running his fingers through his hair. Breathing heavily, he looks back and shakes his head. Is this some kind of sick joke? He proposes looking confused. You must be joking right? He takes my silence without further question pacing back-and-forth, cursing under his breath. Every now and then he stops his pace to look at me before continuing on. It’s making me even more nervous, so I concentrate on the broken piece of skin around my thumb nail and pick at it to distract me. 

Mumbling incoherently, Jonathan walks to the drinks cabinet and pours himself a generous finger of scotch. Downing it in one swallow, he exhales loudly pouring another pausing only briefly to look over at me then practically inhales the contents of his glass.

Removing a phone from his pocket, he taps it a few times before holding it to his ear. Cole he exclaims. My father is dead. Stopping his pace he rubs a hand over his face as though he is tired. Can you come to my father’s manor straight away?  I will explain everything when you get here. He pauses listening for a moment. Yes, I am all right, but I can’t tell you any more over the phone. Another pause. Thank you, see you soon. He slams the phone onto the side table looking back to me then down to his dead father.

Don’t go anywhere! Jonathan snarls leaving the room. He quickly returns with a white sheet and places it over Master. I wonder if it is for his benefit or his father’s dignity? As for me, the sheet covers nothing, his face is burned into my memories forever.

Where is Lana and Petro? he turns to me referring to the house and grounds keeper.

They have the weekends off, Sir I reply keeping my eyes fixed on the floor.

Leon too?

He is visiting his daughter in Liverpool, Sir I answer quickly. Leon has worked as Master’s security guard for as long as I have been here. He only has five days off a month to see his son.

They know about you? he says, more as a statement than a question. My absent reply says it all. Fucking hell! How old are you? How long have you been here?

I ... I start to speak but pause, I don’t know if I should answer those questions. I don’t know Sir I reply nervously. I’m sorry Sir. My words come out a near whisper. He stops pacing abruptly looking to me, sympathy filling his eyes as his jaw tightens. He rubs his fingers over the bridge of his nose letting out an exaggerated breath.

What’s your name? he asks calmer, smoother more deliberate this time.

Olivia, Sir.

Olivia what? he pushes.

Just Olivia.

He exhales loudly again, shaking his head while walking back to the decanter of scotch on the table, filling his glass halfway this time. He pauses for a moment and looks at me as if he is contemplating more questions, whatever he is thinking he passes on sharing it with me. Studying me, he takes another long drink of the golden liquid, his jaw flexes back as he swallows. He sighs bringing his hand to his chin rubbing the five o’clock shadow that masks his handsome face and making him look older than he is.

I know from the conversations I’d had with Master that Jonathan is thirty-two years old. He had liked to talk about Jonathan, and each time he did, it was with pride and joy but laced with a hint of regret. I feel like I know him personally, even though we have just met.

The house remains quiet except for the ticking of the old grand clock in the foyer, the irony of the tick, tick, tick sound when time seemingly stands still for both of us. Jonathan appears to be trying to process the fact his father’s body is lying lifeless on the floor; he looks notably distressed as he stares at the screen of his phone repeatedly.

I can’t read him. One moment he looks at me with disgust and then another with sympathy. His mixed signals make me uncomfortable and cautious. What is he planning to do with me? Where will I go?

Hours pass before I hear a car come to a stop in the gravel out the front of the manor, followed by a slamming door. Jonathan jumps up from his chair and darts across the room towards the doorway. Stay he orders. I will be back in a moment.

Once again it is just me and Master alone. I stare at the white sheet, willing it to move. Perhaps I was too hasty with my enjoyment in his death. I don’t know who this Cole person is that is coming, and I don’t know what Jonathan’s intentions are with me.

Isn’t the devil you know, better than the devil you don’t?

COLE

I pull up to the front door of the Hawk Manor; the engine is barely off before I throw myself from the car and run up the entry steps. The whole drive here I couldn’t take my mind from the trepidation I’d heard in Jon’s voice. I’ve known Jon my whole life, and I know that if he is not willing to discuss details over the phone, it’s bad. I can’t imagine what could be so important that I had to drive two hours in the middle of the night from my home in Surrey to Eli’s manor in Leicester?  It is not like the man is going anywhere, he is dead!

Jon? I declare my presence loudly opening the front door with caution not knowing what I will find.

Jon meets me halfway down the hall. God, he looks as white as a fucking ghost. No pun intended.

Cole, thanks for coming, he sighs placing his hand on my shoulder. Listen, we need to talk before you go in there. The unease and stress clear in his tone. I know that is normal considering his father just died, but as he looks at the doorway that leads to the parlor room an unease of my own washes over me. This is going to be very bad.

Jon, what the hell is going on you are making me nervous? Please tell me you didn’t kill your father? I ask, not sure if I really want to know the answer to that.

What? No! I’m sure the old man’s cold heart has finally been the death of him, he appears to have had a heart attack, although I can’t be certain until an autopsy is done he informs.

So, what’s the issue?  You have called all the necessary people I assume? I try to be the concerned friend, but Jonathan seems more distracted by something else.

Not exactly, Jon slurs the words slowly like he didn’t want them to come out.

What the fuck is going on Jon? I’m not stupid, there is more to this, otherwise you wouldn’t have called me over here, I state. We both know I hate your old man, in fact everyone does! I pause for a moment. Correction, did. So I can’t say I understand why I am here? I should be more sympathetic to Jon, but his father was a dirty fucking weasel. He tried to cut me out of half of the family business. The business my grandfather and his father started over sixty years ago, which is now the most successful property development company in the UK. When my grandfather died Hawk tried to buy my side out, but when that didn’t work he went to all measures to eradicate me without success. He was a cold-hearted, greedy bastard. He deserved his untimely death as far as I am concerned.

I don’t even know myself, that’s the thing, Jonathan says dryly. I came over to see my father as I do every Sunday, and I found him dead on the floor in the parlor. If that was not enough to surprise the hell out me the young girl sitting by his dead body was.  He pauses as he rubs a hand across his face. Actually, she is still there. He frowns, struggling with what he is trying to say, I allow him the moment because quite frankly, I need one too.

You see, the thing is, I’m pretty sure she is, or was, my father’s slave.

Silence surrounds us as I swallow and blink a few times trying to digest his words. Slave? As in sex slave?  What the fuck gave you that impression? I snicker a little, almost humored by his ridiculous assumption. It is most likely just a frightened prostitute Hawk had hired, no one in their right mind would want to willingly fuck him without a good motive.

Well she called him master for starters. She doesn’t know her age or how long she has been here, he breathes out. Then, there is the fact that she is on her knees with her head bowed down, she is really skittish, and appears genuinely confused. So, you tell me Cole, what else am I supposed to think she is?

I rub my jaw with my hand back and forth, taking in a deep breath. I see. I click my tongue a few times. And this is my problem, how?

Seriously, Cole? He scowls. I asked you here for help. I don’t know what to do with her? I can’t call the cops, Jesus! I can read it all now in the London papers, imagine the headlines, my family’s name would be ruined, I’d be ruined! he says tightly. Being your business partner, don’t you think this would affect you and your he puts both hands in the air making inverted commas with his fingers, reputation too?

And what is it you think I can do to help, Jon? I glare at him.

Take her home with you. At least until we can figure all this out. He spits the words out so fast I barely have time to register, my glare hardens and if looks could kill he’d be quick to join his father on the floor in the parlor.

I don’t keep women as slaves Jon, I scold without raising my voice, but I am pissed off that he thinks I would be into that sort of shit.

No, but you have had submissives before, he states.

Correction, I have had one submissive before. That one being Elizabeth. You know it was her request and not mine, it was just something different and fun to spice up things in the bedroom, not to mention she was a willing participant. I huff raising my eyebrows at him Jon a submissive and a slave are two very different things.

You would know how to handle her better than me, he states. Come on Cole, I have a wife and kids for fuck's sake, I can’t exactly take her home myself now can I? Emily would have me hung by my balls. He grabs his crotch in his hand to illustrate, and I inwardly shudder at the thought.

Jon, your backing me into a corner here. I sigh. I’d do anything for Jonathan, he is like a brother, but this is really stretching my loyalty. If we get ourselves implicated in this, we are likely to be arrested. We cannot buy our way out of this one, do you understand that Jon?

We’re already implicated, Cole he declares. We are screwed either way. I know my father was a creep, but I seriously can’t believe he would have gone go this far, and who else knows about this? I need time to deal with this properly, and I trust no one else but you with this. His eyes are desperate and beg me as he speaks. Just meet her, talk to her. We can get her a doctor or a psychologist, get her some help he pleas. Then we can give her enough money to keep her quiet and send her on her way. I have never seen Jon look so perplexed. How can I so no to him?

Why are you saying WE, Jon? When did this go from your problem to OUR problem? I exaggerate the words to make my point. You’re pushing the friendship here, well over the line! My voice remains calm despite the panic. What the hell am I going to do? Jon looks desperate, and even though their relationship was strained, it’s still is his father that he has just lost. I should be there for him. What kind of friend and business partner would I be if I just abandon him in his time of need? He is like a brother to me. I scratch my head, frowning as I try to work out what the hell I am going to do. I should do this for him.

It’s only for a couple of days, a week at the most, just till we can sort her out, sort this mess out, he emphasizes. I will be busy with a press release, funeral plans and the estate dealings. I can’t deal with Olivia too. Not straight away. I need your help, Cole, please?

Olivia? I question, cocking my head curiously.

Her name is Olivia, please come and meet her before you say no? he pleads. Fuck He is practically begging. God dammit!

I walk into the parlor to see the girl sitting by, what I can only assume is Hawk's body under a white sheet. She doesn’t look up, but I can tell she senses my presence by the way she bows her head down further. She is wearing a simple short sleeved black dress, but her feet are bare.

Christ Jon, you need to call the authorities now. I scowl. He is beginning to rot for fuck's sake. I bring my hand to my nose; the smell is intense. It is a rank, rotting meat smell that has a pungent tinge of sickening sweetness to it. It is in this moment the girl lifts her head to see who spoke, and I see her face briefly before she lowers her head again. Long and wavy honey blonde hair covers the sides of her face like a veil reaching halfway down her back.

She has a small slim frame, a little too much on the thin side. Her porcelain like skin is flawless, thick red circles line her under eyes, she looks exhausted. Her eyes are the lightest of blue, liking to the sky more than the ocean, they are beautiful. I’d say she is fairly young, perhaps late teens or early twenties. Jonathan clears his throat, and I realize I have been standing here staring at the poor girl for an uncomfortably long time.

Making my way over to her, I crouch down to her level, trying not to retch from the smell of Hawk’s rotting flesh.

Olivia, my name is Cole. I am a family friend of Jonathan and Eli’s. Although she doesn’t move her position or respond, I can see she is clearly frightened. She’s trembling, and her breathing is short and rapid. I reach out and touch her arm, she flinches, almost cowering into herself. I don’t remove my hand as I don’t want to show her weakness, I need her to feel comfortable with me, so I must be dominant as that is what she would be used to, but I also need to be gentle with her so she will feel more at ease and comply.

Hey, it’s all right. You can trust me sweetheart, I will not hurt you, I say, keeping my tone soft and mellow. She swallows hard as a lone tear drops to the floor, staining the wooden board with her fear. I place my thumb and forefinger under her chin, slowly and gently I force her head to look directly at me. Olivia, look at me. I am not, I stress, going to hurt you. My tone is even but authoritative. If this girl is used to being ordered about, I need to make my request sound as such, or she will not respond to me.

Just as I suspect, the girl’s eyes meet mine hesitantly. Now that I am looking straight into her eyes, I can clearly see her torment. I can see all her pain. She looks utterly exhausted. God, she truly is beautiful, she has these light gray flecks in the blue of her eyes that catch the light, with long thick lashes that fan over them. She is naturally stunning.

There will be a lot of people here soon, Olivia. They will need to talk to Jonathan and remove the body, I explain. You will come home with me, it is time to go now, stand up. My arm is still on hers, so I guide her up, pulling her from the ground. No longer is she looking at me, she is looking back at the sheet with confliction. Now that she is standing, I can see she is quite small against my six-foot two frame. She looks almost like a broken doll. What the hell have I agreed to?

Chapter 2

Dudley Estate

As I am led through the dark halls of the manor to the front door, I take everything in for the last time. I know I will never return here, so I take one last look at the table where I used to play chess with Master, it will now gather dust with no one left to challenge it. I look at the dark red curtains that have blanketed the outside world from me for so long, and the pile of books on the table that will go unread. I inhale the musky pine scent I’d come to know of the manor for the last time as I walk out the door, leaving behind a life I know I’d never forget.

The gravel scratches and stings my bare feet as Cole ushers me to a black sports car. I know nothing about cars, so I don’t know what type it is, but it is flashy and fast, my head hits the back of the seat when he pulls out of the driveway and speeds onto the road.

How old are you Olivia? His voice is smooth, calm but commanding all the same.

I’m not sure, Master, the last birthday I remember was my tenth, I lie, hoping he won’t notice. I remember the date. I remember when it passes every year like winter, and every year it has gone uncelebrated. I am twenty-one. I will not tell him that, though, the more information he has on me, the more power he has over me. Knowledge is power, I hear Master’s words echo through me.

Olivia. I am NOT your master! NEVER call me that, he barks, his raised voice startles me and I sink back further into my seat with fear. Noticing my actions, regret fills Cole’s face, but he doesn’t apologize.

Where are you from originally? He pauses for a moment before adding. How long have you been with Hawk? His softer, warmer tone this time calms me somewhat.

Hawk Sir? I question.

Eli, your former Master, most people call him Hawk. Cole is firm and certain as he speaks. I get the impression he is a man of power, wealth and control.

I can’t say, Sir. I’m sorry. I cower a little, awaiting the repercussions of my actions to come, perhaps in the form of a slap or punch, but only a fierce glare is aimed in my direction.

I said I would not hurt you, Olivia. Breathing out his frustration, he turns his head away, shaking it as though he is offended Why can’t you say? Is it because you don’t know? Or you don’t want to tell me? he retorts.  He is mad now, I don’t like where this could potentially lead. I fidget in my seat trying not to think about it.

I’m sorry, Sir, I am not allowed to speak about it. Why is he pushing me? Is this a test? Does he want to punish me? I know he said he is not going to hurt me, but the look on his face says otherwise.

The car swerves to the side of the road, as he slams the gear shift into park then turns to face me. Look at me, Olivia, he says sternly but doesn’t raise his voice this time.

Hawk is dead. His rules, his orders, whatever they are, they have no merit anymore. His eyes widen in anger. Hawk is dead, and so is his hold over you. Do you understand me Olivia? The power exerted from his voice is overwhelming and scares me. I look up at him wearingly, begging him with my eyes not to hurt me, I shake my head at him.

Speak, he orders.

No, Sir, I don’t understand. I... I choke back a sob. I’m sorry. I don’t want him to see me cry. Crying is weak, crying is for children, crying equals punishment.

Cole reaches out to me, I recoil instinctively, he exhales, rubbing his chin and shaking his head. With his jaw softened he looks back to me offering a curt nod, his exchange, a simple understanding that he’s acknowledging my struggle. Bringing up his thumb to my cheek, he softly caresses it, slowly running it down the side of my face, stopping at my chin and lifting it to his gaze. It is such a tender gesture, and I freeze from the sheer unfamiliarity of it.

I’m sorry, sweetheart, I don’t mean to upset or frighten you. He wipes the fallen tears from my cheeks. This is all new to me, I want you to understand that I am here to help you, not hurt you. It’s been a long night, so I won’t ask you anymore questions for now. Let’s get you back to my place, and we can talk more later. Pulling the car back onto the road, he doesn’t speak again for the rest of the drive.

It is still dark; the view of the countryside is blackened with shadows. The soft hum of the car seems to sing to my tiredness like a lullaby as I drift into the first sleep I’ve had in days.

I jolt awake as strong arms pull me from slumber.

It’s just me, it’s Cole, Olivia. A soothing warm voice vibrates through me as I blink and open my eyes seeing his face. You fell asleep. We are here. This is my house. His head gestures to the massive mansion in front of the car. Come on, let’s get you inside and warm. Reaching his hand out, he takes mine in his and pulls