Concealed Deception Special Edition: The Lamont Series, #1

By Cole J. Powell

Xander

 

They kept her hidden from me for fourteen years. Now, she sits in my club, my personal playground, clueless of the repercussions her father placed on her life.

Ava Pierce doesn't know her world is about to implode, and I'll take pleasure in being the one to destroy her.

 

Ava

 

He came from out of the shadows. A man equipped with such power and arrogance. Calculating eyes that threaten to destroy me, or so I thought.

Alexander Lamont is a man I've become complacent around despite being a prisoner in my own life of lies, deceit and betrayal. I underestimated him until he became my only chance at surviving a past I didn't know existed.

 

*This book is intended for 18+

**Book 1 can be read as a standalone. Series must be read in order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cole J. Powell
• Release date: Dec 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9780473687663

Cole J. Powell

Cole J. Powell is a New Zealand author who writes fierce heroines and cutthroat alphas. She loves writing books with suspenseful plots and twisted storylines; sometimes those sweet and heartfelt stories sneak in too. She thanks you sincerely for taking the time to read and review her work.

Book preview

AUTHOR NOTE

This book is intended for ages 18 and over. It contains triggering topics and graphic content of differing levels that may offend some people, such as: coarse language, graphic violence, drugs, kidnapping, themes of trafficking, BDSM references and sex scenes. This book is considered dark romance due to these topics. Please do not continue if this bothers you.

Note: This book can be read as a standalone. If reading as a series, you must read in sequence.

CONTENTS

Author Note

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Nine

Thirty

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Also By Cole J. Powell

About The Author

Let’s Stay Connected

DEDICATION

For the readers,

Thank you for believing in me.

This extension is for you.

One

Ava

Can you unpack any slower? My grandmother would run circles around you if she were here." Lacey fills two wine glasses while she criticizes me.

I’m wondering where I’m going to put my things. I think I brought half of California with me. I scope the apartment, ignoring my outrageous judgment, searching for places to put them. Between Lacey and me, we’ve already filled this place up with more crap than we need.

How would you feel about going out tonight? Maybe find ourselves a couple of hotties, maybe get lucky… Her voice becomes very suggestive toward the end, making me believe she’s already scoped out the area for potential guys.

I know I’m going to say yes. What woman doesn’t want a hot guy between her legs? The only problem with that being, it’s never me who brings a guy home. I don’t know what it is or what kind of vibe I let off, but it always leads to me attracting arrogant assholes. Lacey, on the other hand, attracts the clingers. The leeches. The mama's boys.

I abandon any further attempts at unpacking and sit at the little outdoor table and chairs we’ve proclaimed to be our dining table. It makes me laugh at the ridiculousness of our living situation. A small living room with two even smaller bedrooms; our beds take up ninety percent of the living space. Not to mention the tiny bathroom and kitchen. At least we can fit a decent sofa and TV in the living room.

I watch as Lacey pours another wine for herself. When I first came to the Big Apple, I fell in love. The thriving ambiance hooked me instantly. Not only the nightlife but the way people moved on the sidewalk during the day, like it was an unspoken language. The noise most would hate reminded me I’m at a thriving time of my life. I have a new job, in a new city, with my best friend. What more could a girl want?

Earth to Ava. Come in, Ava. Lacey’s mocking voice brings me back to her curiously raised brow. Would you like to listen this time or are you going to disappear into no man’s land again?

I spring to my feet, holding my now empty glass toward her, wearing a mischievous grin. I think it’s time to leave this shitty apartment and find us some Big Apple studs.

She scoffs and nearly spits her wine all over the table. Never say that again.

I shrug, not giving two fucks.

Ava— Lacey’s words are cut short by me grabbing her hand and dragging her to her room. If we’re to find attractive men in this town, we need ammunition, and she’s the one to make us look killer-hot enough to lure them in.

Looking through the most crammed closet, we search through the latest fashion racks. Lacey has every dress and jumpsuit you can imagine, for any occasion. She’s a rebellious, yet spoilt trust fund baby. She’ll happily buy her weight in clothes, but when it comes to Mommy and Daddy telling her what to do, she does the opposite. Putting my own budget aside, this is the exact reason she’s okay with us being in one of the smallest apartments she could find in downtown New York.

I’m envious of her model-like figure. Her toned physique is a stark contrast to my compact frame. Her blond pixie styled hair shines, next to my long and wavy cocoa bird nest. I’m really lucky to have her help, otherwise producing anything more than tamable takes hours on my own.

After no consultation with yours truly, Lacey has me wearing a black off-the-shoulder mini dress that has a split so high up my thigh you’ll be able to see my choice of lingerie if I bend over.

Later that night we’re standing at the entrance of Envy. In front of the black doors are two scary looking bodyguards, making me second guess Lacey’s venue choice. Are you sure this is a nightclub and not a secret society? I’m getting a real bad vibe here.

You need to loosen up. It’s exclusive, which means I had to use my connections to get us in here.

You mean use your parents as your connections, and we’re not inside yet, so don’t go getting too excited. They haven’t let anyone in since we arrived.

C’mon. Lacey grabs hold of my hand and drags me toward the two men who are now blocking the door with their arms folded across their broad chests and scowling at us like we don’t belong.

Name, one asks with a stern tone.

Lacey’s charm takes on a commanding edge.

Lacey Montgomery.

The man who asked our names speaks quietly into his wristwatch, then nods to the other. Both doors inwardly open to a foyer lit only enough to illuminate our path. The two men on either side of the double doors gesture our entry while other patrons line the path in protest, still denied entry.

What have you gotten us into, Lacey? This has sex club written all over it. I’m not about to get collared, am I? Oh my God, I am, aren’t I?

Will you settle! This is an exclusive club, not a sex dungeon. This is where the wealthy come to let their hair down, so to speak. We have every right to be here, so please, calm the fuck down and follow my lead, she whisper-hisses as we follow the two men to the end of the corridor. Although, I don’t think her hushed tone was quiet enough for the men as the one in a crisp white shirt turns his head then winks at us before reverting his focus in front of him.

Um, Lacey…? I freak out, my skin covering in goosebumps. Then I notice the end of the corridor is a dead end and begin panting. I reach for Lacey’s arm as we watch the man who winked speak into his wristwatch the same way the bodyguard had.

To my astonishment, a hidden door opens and welcomes us into a thriving club. Mood set lights are dimmed enough you can see where you’re going and who you’re with, and the music is playing at the perfect level you can hold a conversation without yelling. There are tables and leather couches scattered around us, much like a luxurious lounge, all black and red themed. The three-hundred-and-sixty-degree bar sitting in the middle of the room sets a statement that if you’re not here to spend money, you shouldn’t be here at all.

As I take in more of my surroundings, I see more private sections made up of what I can only guess are booths, which are at the top of a stairway manned with two more bodyguards.

My eyes rove the room, expecting more secret doors to open, like the one we entered, but none do.

I’m aware of the fact I don’t belong here. I’m not from wealth like Lacey is. I don’t know how to act around people flaunting their money and women covered in jewels. Men are in suits that likely cost more than I pay a month in rent.

No, I most definitely don’t fit in here.

As we reach the bar, I lean into Lacey, whispering in her ear with discretion. Lacey, I think we should leave. I’m not very comfortable being here.

Ladies, if you follow me, I’ll have some drinks brought to your table. The same man that led us through the hidden entrance is the man who is now escorting us once more, upstairs to our very own private section.

I pull Lacey to me and whisper in her ear again, though this time more anxiously. We get our own private section? How? The only response is her subtle shrug as we’re led into the unknown.

As we get to the top platform, I recognize that this isn’t only a private section, but it’s roped off, which means it’s VIP access only. Lacey? I ask again, hoping she’ll have the answers. Only, when she looks at me wide eyed, I know she’s clueless too.

Our chaperone is having a quiet conversation with a bodyguard, while I’m over here losing my nerves and my best friend is a sea of calmness.

Ladies, after you. He gestures to us through the restricted area.

How exactly did we get VIP access, Lacey? I know your family is well known, but…

Here you are. If you need anything, there’s a pager on the table. A round of drinks are on the way up, and if there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to press the button. I’ll leave you for now. Enjoy your evening, Miss Montgomery, Miss Pierce.

The man nods, then he’s gone, leaving us to freak out over our situation. Then it hits me. How the fuck does he know my name when we only gave him yours?

I don’t know, but who cares? We’ve managed to get into one of the hardest places to book in New York. Let your hair down, Ava, we’re here to have fun!

No sooner has she said it, a tray of drinks arrives. I can’t believe this is happening. Oh my God, we have our own section, Lacey squeals over the sensual music. I finally calmed down enough to join in on the excitement. We take a shot each. To new beginnings and best friends, she declares as she holds her shot to mine in salute. We tap them together, then throw our heads back, letting the smooth tequila glide down our throats. Before I’ve brought my head down, there’s another drink held out to me, as eager eyes demand me to drink with her.

Lacey takes a long sip through her straw and hums in delight. I follow suit and find this is the most delicious cocktail I’ve ever tasted.

As the fruity spirits flood my body, it also warms me. I stop thinking that out of everyone in this city, how were we granted entrance? I stop the paranoia from that man knowing my name and I do as my friend says by figuratively letting my hair down.

Over the course of the night, we stay seated, talking and taking in the flashy interior of the room. It’s when we’re on our fourth round of drinks, and before we’ve paged for more, that our chaperone from earlier returns, holding another tray of drinks that we never ordered.

Ladies, our chaperone formally greets us. Miss Pierce, it seems you’ve caught someone’s eye tonight. These are on the house. I also hope you’re enjoying your evening.

I balk at the mention of having an admirer. Who on earth can see us from up here? I look around, scanning the upstairs area, in case I missed something—or someone. When I look to the other side of the room, there’s a faint red glow on a small balcony against the glass wall, hidden in darkness. I’m now assuming the glass may be one-way, hiding some sort of room.

Adjusting my sight, it's confirmed that I’m right as a tall, dark figure stands from a section much like ours, then slides the glass door open and disappears through it.

Before he vanished, I was able to get the briefest of glimpses of him, and from the set structure of his jaw and slanted eyebrows, I’d say he was pissed off that I found him.

But why?

Thank you. What’s your name? Lacey’s flirtatious eyes are looking at the man who’s been entertaining us since the night started. Oh no, she’s hitting on him.

Antonio, but you can call me Tony. His smirk tells me we’re in more trouble than we realized, because as well as being alluring, it also screams danger, and we’ve become his little lambs.

Thank you, Tony. You can tell whoever my friend’s admirer is thank you from her too. Right, Ava?

I’m scared and lost for words, nodding like an idiot.

She can thank me herself.

I whip around at his powerful tone and am met with the same hard-set features from moments ago. Though this time, his dark, piercing eyes are staring hungrily at me.

Two

Xander

I’ve been watching them, or more specifically her, since they stood at the foot of my building. I’ve never allowed non-members into my club, ever.

Until now.

Until Miss Pierce became a blip on my radar.

When I received Miss Montgomery’s request and saw she was trying to use her family name to gain entry into my club, I almost revoked her father’s membership. That was until Tony managed to talk me down after he completed a background check of his own only two days ago.

When Tony showed me her pictures from his research, it was her friend I became intrigued by. She’s become an enigma, and that doesn’t bode well for me.

When I asked Tony to do a more thorough background check, something else caught my attention. A familiarity. She doesn’t know I exist, and they tried hard to keep it that way, but fuck them for hiding her. She’s about to learn the rules have changed.

Oh shit. Tony knows how high the stakes are, and me showing my face wasn’t my intention tonight.

It’s rude not to thank your host, Miss Pierce. I thought your father would have taught you better than that.

I watch as my comment goes unaffected, and that’s because she has no idea what I’m speaking of. She has no idea her father’s past is about to catch up with her.

Xander, what the fuck are you doing? Tony warns through gritted teeth. Both of these young ladies are too shocked to pay any attention to what’s being said, and my right-hand is the only man who I’ll allow to call me out. But not in public.

Antonio, will you accompany Miss Montgomery downstairs. I have matters to discuss with Miss Pierce. I emphasize her name with distaste. She already fears me, and rightly so.

For the first time since I stepped foot out of my office, she speaks, and I find I’m sadly mistaken.

I don’t know who you think you are, but Lacey is not going anywhere without me, nor am I going to stay here to talk with some demanding, arrogant asshole when he doesn’t have the manners to introduce himself when he clearly knows who I am. If you’ll excuse us, we’re leaving.

My eyes are temporarily drawn to Miss Pierce’s heaving chest. I can’t afford distractions, but this young woman is one, and I’m letting her walk out.

Make sure Vince keeps tabs on her. I want to know her every move.

I watch as she rushes past my bodyguards, down the stairs and through