Just Incredible: The Incredible Series, #1

By Cin Medley

In this twisted love story, Megan Daily, heiress to the Daily Newspaper Empire, has hit a downward spiral after the death of her father. The last hurrah put her in the path of billionaire Ian Daniels, who believes he has found his ever after. Only his obsession with Megan puts her life in danger.

Together, they fight to survive. With the help of Megan's friend, Sean Lane, they take a stand, nearly ending Megan's life.

This book is the first in a four-book series, a story that is both unimaginable and frightening, with heart pounding scenes that grip your imagination and squeeze your heart so you're hoping, wishing, and rooting for their survival.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cin Medley
• Release date: Feb 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781734269017

Book preview

Prologue

Who you portray yourself as isn’t always who you are. Living life as one person while really being another is no way to live.

With a call sign that only a few select and privileged people know, being a secret weapon which has been sidelined and taken off the books, is an intense struggle for any man. But what if you aren’t a man? What if everything you have done has come full circle, and now there is nothing you can do because, if you break, and the people who hunt you really know who they’re hunting, your life ends.

If the struggle doesn’t seem real, then everything is gone. What if the only man who you ever trusted died, and all you believed in, all that you loved was gone. What happens then? What happens when you don’t know who to trust, and all the training you’ve subjected yourself to over the years never leaves you, but somehow blinds you.

What if the one man who knows part of your truth has loved you from that very first meeting, but life wouldn’t, didn’t, or couldn’t allow his interference? Couldn’t allow him to betray his orders? Couldn’t allow him to expose all that he knows?

To hide in plain sight is the only answer, the only option. But when all your faith, all your love, all your self-worth is taken away from you and thrown to the wind, the only real place you can find any sort of quiet is within yourself, within a place so deep, so dark, that it has no name.

Chapter One

As her mind drifted back to consciousness, the aches in her body grew more prevalent. The warmth of the sun on her backside warmed her. I know it’s daytime, but what time is it?

Her eyes fluttered open; her sight blurry from the hangover that now thumped in her head. As she lifted her head, she looked at her wrist and saw the red marks there. Shit.

Pushing up, she looked around. This is not my apartment. As her hearing adjusted, she could hear the shower and knew she was not alone. What the hell did I do? Slowly getting off the bed, she searched around for her clothes. Finding her bra, panties, and dress, which was torn to shreds, she grabbed her shoes and noticed the handcuffs on the bedframe. When the water shut off in the bathroom, she jerked her head toward the door. I have to get out of here.

Grabbing the shirt lying next to her shoes, she put it on and ran out of the room. Now to find my way out of here. Making her way down the hall and into the living room, she realized that she was in a high rise. The room was filled with very expensive furniture, with expensive works of art hanging on the walls. She spotted her jacket and purse lying on the couch. As she moved to get them, she looked out the window. Where the hell am I?

Moving out the door into the hallway while putting on her jacket, she stuffed her panties and bra into her jacket pocket then pushed the button for the elevator. Hurry up. She turned to look at the door, hoping whoever was in that apartment didn’t come out looking for her. Jesus, I need to quit drinking. The ever so familiar ding of the elevator sounded, and the doors opened. Stepping inside, she pushed the down button, her eyes glued to the door she just exited.

A huge sigh released as the doors closed, and she began her descent. What the fuck? she muttered to the empty car. Looking up, she realized she had just left a penthouse apartment. Whose penthouse? Where the hell am I? Better yet, who the hell was I with?

Standing there waiting, she could remember being with Kathy at the club. She and her best friend been drinking and dancing, then that’s all she could remember. The doors opened, and she stepped out. Fuck, she murmured, stepping into the lobby of Trump Towers. People were staring at her as she took her walk of shame through the lobby. Catching a glimpse of herself in a mirror, she understood why. She looked like hell.

As she reached the doors, the doorman opened the door for her. Good morning, Miss Daily. Have a wonderful day.

Stopping, she looked at him like he was an alien. How the hell does he remember who I am? She smiled at him and walked out to the street where there was a cab waiting for her.

Where to? the driver asked.

Just drive, please.

Pulling away from the curb, he headed into traffic. Taking her phone out of her pocket, she realized it was eight-thirty. She needed to get home; she had a meeting at ten. 630 North State Street, please, she told the driver.

Dialing Kathy, she muttered to herself, Answer the damn phone.

Hello.

Are you kidding me? You can’t still be sleeping. What the hell happened last night? Megan yelled.

Well, good morning to you, too. What time is it? Shit, I’m late!

No kidding, we both are. What happened last night?

I need to take a shower. I’ll meet you at work, and we can talk then. She hung up on her.

Shit! Her phone rang just then. She didn’t know the number, so she didn’t answer it. But she couldn’t help but wonder if it was the man whose apartment she had just left. It didn’t matter because the cab stopped in front of her apartment then. Lloyd, the doorman, opened her door as she paid the driver. Good morning, Miss Daily.

Megan, you can call me Megan, and good morning, Lloyd. He just smiled at her and held the door. Thank you, Lloyd.

After taking a shower, she got dressed. Long sleeves were a must considering the red marks on her wrists. Shaking her head, she picked up her dress, looking at the shredded black material. I really liked this dress. Lesson learned, no more tequila. Picking up the shirt she stole from the penthouse, she looked at the tag. Armani. At least he has good taste. Dropping the shirt on her bed and grabbing her bag, she headed to work.

Walking into her office, she set her bag down then turned to go find Kathy when her assistant, Gerald, walked in. You are so late. Brad is having a fit. Your meeting starts in ten minutes. Here are your messages.

Smiling, she took the messages from him and set them on her desk. I really don’t care what Brad has to say. Would you please get me some coffee and a donut or something? I need to eat.

Picking up her phone, she dialed Kathy’s extension. Kathy Waters’ office, how may I direct your call? Sherry, her secretary, asked.

Good morning, Sherry. Can you put me through?

I would, but Brad is in there, and he is screaming. He said he’s coming your way next.

What’s he screaming about now?

Something about the image in the paper and the fact that the two of you are on the front page of some tabloid. The picture’s not flattering, she whispered.

Thanks for the heads up. Hanging up, she opened her drawer to look for some Tylenol then walked down to the water cooler to get something to wash them down. On her way back, she could hear her brother screaming at Gerald.

Where the hell is she? he screamed.

I don’t know. She was just here, Gerald answered, cowering back.

I’m right here, Brad. Don’t get your undies in a bunch.

He spun around, glaring at her. Your office. Now, he shouted and pointed to the door.

She smiled. Yes, that’s my office, but unfortunately, it is going to have to wait. I have a meeting.

The meeting has been canceled. Your office now! He stormed through her door.

Megan looked at Gerald, mouthing ‘I’m sorry’. Gerald moved some papers on his desk to uncover the tabloid with her and Kathy on the front page. The headline read Heiress with a drinking problem in big, bold letters.

Megan picked up the paper and walked into her office, shutting the door. So, I suppose you’re here about this? She laid the paper on the edge of her desk.

Megan, you really need to stop drinking. You are out of control. This paper has a reputation, and if you don’t change your ways, I am going to have to fire you.

Laughing, she looked at her brother. Just because you came out of the womb three minutes before me doesn’t give you the right to dictate my life. You forget, I own half this paper, and there is nothing you can do.

Come on, Megan. You know Mother is going to see this, and you know she’s not going to like it.

I will deal with Mother. Now, will you please excuse me? I have a few phone calls to make.

Meg, I’m worried about you. Since Father passed away, you have spiraled out of control. I just don’t want you to do something you will regret.

Thinking about where she woke this morning and the red marks on her wrists, she smiled a small smile. I’m afraid you’re a bit late with your concern. Will you please excuse me?

Brad touched her arm, giving it a gentle squeeze, then left. Picking up the phone as he shut her door, she dialed the publisher of the rag that plastered her picture all over the cover.

Good morning, Steve. Megan Daily here.

Hello, Megan. What can I do for you?

Well, first, you can print a retraction in your little rag, apologizing to my family and me for being gravely misinformed about today’s headline.

He laughed. Megan, sometimes the truth hurts.

If you don’t print a retraction, Steve, I will bury you. Do not put my face on the front page again, or I will personally fire you myself.

Megan, you can’t threaten me. It’s called freedom of speech. If you don’t like your face on the front page, perhaps you should stop doing what you do.

I’m not going to ask you again. If it’s not on the front page of your next issue, it’s over for you. There was a knock on her door. Slamming her phone down, she yelled, Come in.

Gerald came walking in with a huge vase full of flowers. These came for you.

Just set them over there. Since the meeting was canceled, would you please get Joseph on the phone, and then set up a meeting with Alexander? Sooner rather than later, like now if he’s available.

Gerald stood there, fixing the flowers. Is everything okay?

It will be, she snapped.

Gerald left, and a few minutes later, her phone buzzed. Joseph is on the line.

Picking up the receiver, she greeted him. Hi, Joseph. Listen, I was wondering if you can give me some figures. I would like to know how much spendable cash we have and how much we can liquidate without hurting us.

Good morning, Megan. Give me some time, and I will let you know. Do you want to know for your personal account or the paper’s?

She chuckled. I know how much I have, but I don’t want to use my personal funds unless I have to. This is going to be a business transaction, and I would appreciate your discretion. There is no need to get Brad in a tizzy.

Megan, is there something I should know?

Not yet. Would you please just get me those numbers?

Hanging up the phone, she dialed again. John Newman’s office.

This is Megan. I need to speak to John, please.

One moment.

Megan, what can I do for you today?

Hi, John, I was wondering if you could find me the going price for the stock in Shame.

He laughed. The tabloid?

Yes. Steve Holderman has a hard-on for me this week, and I’m not in the mood to explain myself to my mother. I just want to let him know he is not untouchable.

You got it. I’ll get those figures to you as soon as I can.

Thank you, and can you keep this to yourself, please? Call my cell.

Will do. He chuckled and then hung up.

Megan sat there, looking at the huge bouquet of flowers on the table. Somehow, she knew who they were from. But there wasn’t time for that. Her phone buzzed, distracting her. Clicking it on, Gerald said, Legal in twenty, conference room one.

Thank you. Would you get Kathy in here, please?

Megan sat at her desk, fuming when Kathy walked in. What is with your brother? Man is he pissed off.

Never mind Brad. What the hell happened last night?

You don’t remember? Kathy asked, laughing as she sat down.

Kathy, if I remembered, I wouldn’t be asking. The only thing I know is I woke up in some guy’s bed, in the penthouse of Trump Towers no less, with these. Pulling up her sleeves, she showed her the red marks on her wrists. Who did I leave with? Better yet, why did you let me leave with him?

Holy shit. She took a closer look at Megan’s wrists. I haven’t a clue. We were dancing, and this guy walked up and put his hands on your hips. Megan, you were all over him.

Jesus. She rubbed her head. I don’t remember. What did he look like?

Kathy laughed. Oh my God, he was like some kind of Adonis, very tall, dark, nearly black hair, and built. He was beautiful.

Please, tell me I wasn’t dirty dancing.

Sweetie, if you could have fucked him on that dance floor, I think you would have.

Laying her head on the desk, she grumbled, Shit. No more tequila.

You told me you were going home with him, and then you left. I tried to stop you, but I lost you in the crowd. I called your phone like twenty times and sent you like a million text messages.

I don’t remember hearing it ring. Reaching for her phone, she scrolled through it. Yes, here they are. I’m so sorry. You must promise to never let me do that again. I have no idea who that guy was.

So, I’m guessing you don’t remember the sex?

She shook her head. Not one second of it. Okay, I have a meeting. Let’s do lunch when I’m done.

They stood to leave, and, noticing the flowers, Kathy asked, Hey, who are the flowers from? Picking up the card, she read it out loud. Just Incredible… Ian. She turned to Megan. Who’s Ian?

Beats the hell out of me. I need to go. See you in a bit. Megan left her office and went to the conference room where Alexander Brown, the head of the legal department, was sitting. Good Morning, Alex.

Megan. He nodded. So, what have I been summoned here for?

Laughing, Megan said, You know, Alex, one of these days, you will appreciate me summoning you, as you put it. If you weren’t grandfathered into this job by my father’s will, you would be out of a job. I need to know what legal steps I can take concerning this. She slid the paper across the table.

Picking up the paper, Alex smiled at her. Not much if it’s the truth.

You have known me my whole life. Do you believe this to be the truth?

Well, Megan, you’ve been a bit out of control these past few months.

Excuse me? Since when is it your job to follow me around?

Since your father left me a letter asking me to make sure you don’t do something you will regret.

Slamming her hand down on the table, she stood, sending her chair to the floor. It is shit like this that makes me want to drink. Fuck you, Alex. Figure out what I can do and then let me know.

Walking out of the room even more pissed off, she headed to Kathy’s office.

What is it with people? I’m fucking twenty-eight years old. The life I’ve already lived is more than enough to make anyone drink. This is fucking bullshit. I need to just lie on a beach somewhere.

Walking into Kathy’s office, she told her, Come on, I need to get the hell out of here. I am so fed up with this shit. I think I’m going to take a vacation.

Grabbing her purse, Kathy smiled at her. I’m in.

Megan made it a point to stop by Brad’s office. I’m going to lunch and then out to see Mother. I’m taking a vacation, Brad. I’m tired of all this bullshit.

Megan, no one wants you to leave.

She laughed. Oh, I’m not leaving, Brad. There is no way you are getting this paper. I worked my ass off to be here, unlike you who kissed Daddy’s ass. I own half this paper. I’m giving you two months to fuck it up, and when you do, I am having you removed as co-editor. Turning, she walked out.

Well, that was harsh, Kathy noted.

Maybe, but I am so fed up with his shit. My father passed away and gave that undeserving ass half of my paper. I don’t want to hate my brother, but he is impossible to live with now.

I don’t know. I think he is kind of cute.

Don’t go there with me, Kathy. I told you, if you want to sleep with him, do it. Just don’t tell me about it.

Chapter Two

They went to a nice little cigar bar that Megan’s father had taken her to as a child. She loved the place, the smell. Her mother never let her father smoke in the house except for in his study, and she would sneak in there as a child. Being there always made her feel closer to him.

So, where do you think you’re going to go on this little vacation?

I’m not sure. I thought about lying on the beach somewhere, but then again, I think I might like to be someone other than me. I really don’t like being me anymore. I seem to end up doing stupid shit like last night. I’m tired of being this socialite, having my picture taken all the time. I can’t even have a good time anymore.

Well, just don’t forget about me back here, slaving away for your brother.

Megan busted out laughing. You wish he would make you his slave.

You are so right about that.

They both laughed. Megan’s phone vibrated in her pocket. Pulling it out, she watched the same number from that morning flashing across the screen. Shaking her head, she rejected the call and set the phone down.

Who was it?

Not sure, but I think it might be that guy from last night.

Kathy’s eyes got wide. Why aren’t you answering it? That man was gorgeous.

She shook her head. There is no way I am talking to some guy I picked up in a bar. I certainly don’t want anything to do with a very bad mistake.

Her phone vibrated again, and Kathy snatched it off the table before Megan had a chance to look at it. Standing up, she accepted the call. Megan Daily’s phone, how can I help you? No, this is not Megan. May I ask who’s calling, please? Ian Daniels? Oh, the guy who sent the flowers. Yes, but she is unavailable right now. Seven o’clock? All right, I will let her know. Disconnecting the call, she turned with a huge smile on her face. As she sat down, she said, You have a date tonight.

Are you insane? I’m not going anywhere.

His car will pick you up at seven at the paper. And, yes, you are going.

No, I’m not. I’m going to see my mom, and then I’m going home to pack.

Come on, Megan. From what I can remember of him, he’s fucking gorgeous.

It doesn’t matter. I’m not going anywhere with him. We don’t know anything about him.

Kathy pulled her tablet out of her bag, typing in his name. "Oh my God, Megan, look at him. He is better looking than I remember. It says here that he is from Texas. His family money is in oil. His father passed away a few years ago, leaving him everything. He went to Princeton