Leveled Up (Enemies to Lovers Romance, Novella 3): Enemies to Lovers, #3

By Willa Brooks

Brace for impact

 

Janine Benson thought her bestselling novel would be her ticket to success, but it also caught the eye of a sinister figure who's turned her life into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

 

Luke Whitmore seeks a peaceful life in rural New York, but his power-hungry father threatens to drag him back into the family hotel business, oblivious to the looming danger that could destroy everything.

 

In this electrifying finale, Janine and Luke defy the odds, facing relentless foes and jaw-dropping obstacles as they fight for their future. Brace yourself for a thrilling ride filled with twists and tension!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Willa Brooks
• Release date: Aug 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9781778261053

Book preview

Chapter 1

My eyes watered from the overhead studio lights, making me second-guess whether the eight figures sitting in my bank account was worth it.

Crew members speaking into headsets scurried around. Someone pinned a microphone to my shirt while another patted my forehead with a powder puff. A blonde lady with hair that never moved, wore a red business suit, and occupied an armchair next to me, receiving the same treatment.

I caught this show on television over the years if I'd woken up when it aired during my day off. So it was surreal being here.

Scratch that. This entire experience was surreal.

When I stepped out onto the soundstage a few minutes ago, it struck me how minuscule the stage was, compared to how it appeared on TV—like being in a diorama.

The man with the headset announced, Ready in five, four, three, two. He pointed at Marilyn Montgomery.

She spoke in a congenial tone to the camera. "Welcome, and good morning. Today, we have a special treat. By now, many of you have seen the video where Janine Benson was kidnapped and forced to drive the getaway car. She was arrested and served six months in jail. It wasn't until a video showing the kidnapping had been unearthed which triggered an outcry and her eventual release. I have here sitting with me none other than Janine Benson, who wrote a book called, My Side of the Story. Janine, thank you for joining us."

Good morning, Marilyn. Thank you for having me. I said with a practiced smile pasted on my face, delivering the line the PR lady for the publishing company had suggested I use before I'd agreed to give interviews.

Janine, I've read your book. It's a shocking ordeal. So tell us, what were you thinking the moment you volunteered to drive the cab in place of Gus?

Marilyn asked the same question that I'd been asked for the umpteenth time, so I had a prepared statement. Just before she ran out of the building, Gus and I were having a conversation. He told me about his new grandchild. He's a family man. So when she ran up to us, she approached Gus first. My thought process didn't stretch beyond the fact that he couldn't go with her, so I'd convinced her to take me instead.

Astonishment, wonderment and surprise flashed across her face during my explanation. She finished with a slight laugh and asked, Were you always this heroic as a child?

Heat splotched my neck and maybe my face, but I couldn't tell because of the overhead lights. I never had the opportunity to be a hero. I helped people where I could.

Marilyn shook her head. Her helmet hair never budged an inch.

Seriously, my hands itched to touch it.

I can't imagine being in that situation. You must've been terrified. So tell us, while you were driving the cab, what were you thinking?

I wasn't thinking. I recall feeling numb and trying to follow her directions as best as I could. Years of being a cab driver had aided with that. The fear didn't kick in until after we pulled into the parking lot, and she directed me to go inside the warehouse. It dawned that she'd kill me, so I'd looked for any opportunity to escape. When I found it, I fought her, and ran out of the warehouse.

Marilyn shook her head and glued her attention to me but I couldn't tell if she'd been that fascinated by what I had to say, or if she was hamming it up for the camera. Could've been both.

And the cops had picked you up outside the warehouse, correct?

Yes, when I ran outside, the cops had already surrounded the warehouse, and they ordered me to get down on the ground. It never occurred that I was in trouble until after they took me to the precinct, and I learned they assumed I was involved in this incident.

And by involved, you mean they suspected you drove the getaway car, she clarified.

I nodded. Yes, Ma'am. No matter how hard I'd explained my circumstance, no one believed me until that footage had surfaced.

And these videos help to secure your release from prison. Which demonstrates how important they are in uncovering the truth of the situation. A shame the videos weren't used before your conviction, she said.

Precisely. Big brother had secured my release, but I couldn't say that, so I settled on, I'm thankful to be living in this day and age where technology can help us.

Marilyn asked, Are you planning on using what happened to you to help others?

I froze. Then my brain shifted into squirrel-mode.

I swallowed and said, I haven't given much thought to what capacity I can be of help. I've been busy getting back on my feet since my release.

Marilyn smiled and covered. There's certainly a lot to think about. You've also been at the scene of an explosion recently at FBI headquarters. Can you talk about that?

Not really. Christine Gracin, the FBI director, cautioned me not to speak to the public about that incident when she'd heard I was writing a book.

Some agents were working in the garage when they accidentally set off a device, I explained as vaguely as possible to not piss off Christine.

Marilyn's face fell a fraction, but I doubted the cameras could've picked it up. Can you be more specific?

I shook my head. Unfortunately, I can't because I didn't see what they were doing. I was busy helping a passenger when the device was set off.

Is it true that you saved your passenger's life, she kept digging.

I don't think I saved anyone's life because nothing exploded. It was just a distraction device that went off.

Shit.

Christine will have my head. I'd divulged way more than she wanted.

I folded my hands to hide my sweaty palms.

Marilyn hid a flash of frustration behind a bright smile. You're so modest. There are reports that you were quite the hero that day.

I gave a nonchalant shrug because, really, what was I supposed to say? Besides, I didn't want to egg her on.

And we hear you're dating the owner of the Crown Paragon Hotel.

Personal questions.

Joy.

Here we go.

I clarified, I'm not dating the owner of the hotel. I'm dating the owner's son. We'd attended the same high school and have recently reconnected.

That's why you were at the hotel in the first place. Marilyn nodded like she had uncovered an important clue, although I mentioned that in the book.

Believe it or not, I was relieved she moved off the device mishap. It came at the expense of outing my personal life but at least she stopped digging around the FBI track. Not only would Christine be pissed but also my informant-brother, Sam. He'd stopped working during my PR campaign to not blow his cover.

Yes, we were together when he received a phone call that the restaurant was being held up. So, we rushed there in a cab, and he entered the building. I stayed outside, and that was when everything happened, as shown in the footage, I explained.

Why wasn't this considered when you were tried the first time? she asked.

I shook my head and made a face. No clue. I'd pointed it out repeatedly, but they didn't listen.

Who's they? Marilyn asked. A glimmer of excitement shone behind her eyes like she was sleuthing it, Columbo—style.

Cops, lawyers, judges, everyone—just about anyone I could talk to.

Not being heard can lead down an unjust road, Marilyn said, then looked to me for a response.

Absolutely. That was the reason I wrote my book. I wanted to set the record straight.

She brightened. On that note, I'd like to plug your book. She held up a copy of the book to the camera. "My Side of the Story, is available in stores and online. Pick up your copy today. It's a fascinating read. Now I'll toss it to Denise, downstairs with Memorial day recipes."

Marilyn held her smile for a few seconds until the guy with the headset called out, That's a rap. Her smile and stiff pose relaxed.

I immediately unclipped the mic from my shirt and asked, Was that okay?

Sure, Marilyn said in a frosty tone. Though, think about being more candid, she added.

Not a chance. I'd already said too much and risked the wrath of the FBI director. But Christine was sweet, and hopefully, understanding.

I smiled at my hostess as warmly as I could. Thanks again for having me.

I collected my jacket and bag, stashed behind the chair. Then I hightailed it out of there, hurrying off the sound stage to the back where people in headsets and clipboards were milling around. I avoided the guy pushing a large blue scaffolding while putting on my jacket and walking straight to the elevators. As I pushed the button for the elevator, my phone buzzed.

---

Nadine Benson: Dad and I saw you. You were cute but nervous.

Janine Benson: Thanks, Mom. I was super nervous.

Nadine Benson: Are you doing another show?

Janine Benson: One more, then I can head back home.

Nadine Benson: When will GQ be back?

Janine Benson: Soon. He's scouting for new places with his real estate agent friend. Mom, gotta run. The elevator is almost here.

---

     My phone binged with a message but I didn't see it because the doors opened. I squeezed myself inside what felt like a packed sardine can.

I didn't bother texting back to my mom until the elevator reached the ground floor to guard my privacy. These days there had been precious little of it since the launch of my book.

A tall man in a gray jacket, red hair, and glasses did a double take and scrutinized me further. Hey, aren't you the girl who got kidnapped?

The rest of the people in the elevator gawked at me.

Yep, that's me, I responded.

He pulled out his phone. Mind taking a picture?

I effected a good-natured, Sure.

We leaned in. I came up to his chest, so he'd lifted the camera higher to fit us both in the frame, which earned us dirty looks from the rest of the passengers as they pulled away from us in this too-small space.

Mercifully, the elevator came to the ground