Deception & Consequences

By Marcy Bialeschki

Aria is strong enough to survive the mounting dangers alone but grateful she doesn't have to.

 

"I'm not going looking for a fight, but I'm not going to back down from one either." ~ Aria

"I've been wondering for a while now what you would look like right before I kissed you." ~ Mac

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Words Matter Publishing
• Release date: Mar 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9781962467216

Marcy Bialeschki

Marcy Bialeschki is a central Illinois native whose most recent writing adventure is a four-book romance-suspense fiction series titled The Vengeance Series. Marcy's writing career has spanned four decades and includes numerous online magazine articles while working as a staff writer for Otter Public Relations and a book that memorializes her father's incredible coaching career. We Call Him Coach: Four Decades of Memories with Coach Dick McDonald is a local interest book depicting the outstanding achievements of her father and his athletes in the small, Illinois town named Blue Mound.A veteran educator, Marcy has taught seventh-grade language arts, AP Literature, AP Language, and everything in between. Marcy and her husband Vince met at her first teaching position. They have been married 34 years, have two daughters, Abby and Andrea, and reside in Cerro Gordo, Illinois.

Book preview

Prologue

Aria was surprised when her Grandma Tess asked to see her in her final moments. Grandma Tess was gray and feeble, and even though Aria was a grown woman, she was uncomfortable and even a little scared as she approached her grandmother’s deathbed in the Donaldson family home in Rockford, Illinois.

Knowing her time was limited, her grandmother wasted no time with pleasantries. Aria, I know we’ve never been close, but I want to make sure you remember a conversation we had once, a long time ago, when you stayed all night. You had a bad dream. Do you remember?

Initially, Aria was confused because she didn’t remember. But as bits and pieces from the past crept in, Aria realized that this was a memory she worked hard to suppress, and over the years, whenever the details rattled in her mind, she fought their existence. But now the experience was coming back to her, and it was unpleasant, to say the least.

Grandma Tess was not holding back. She had one final task to complete before she passed, and Aria was forced to recall that very scary night from her childhood which included a nightmare and a confusing explanation from her grandma.

Yes, she answered softly. I remember.

I won’t be here when you realize the meaning of your dream that night, so you’ll have to face that burden on your own. Tess could see that Aria was anxious and maybe even a little afraid. Don’t be scared. You have to be strong, she said. And then very uncharacteristically, she reached out to hold Aria’s hand.

Aria had never known her grandmother to be loving or caring, but at this crucial moment, Grandma Tess’s awkward attempt was successful. Her voice was calm and reassuring.

I have something to tell you that won’t make sense right now, but someday it will be crystal clear, Tess began. Her words were slow and deliberate. Before she could continue, she was interrupted by a fierce coughing spell that left her weak. Once she recovered, Grandma Tess was determined to continue.

I had a dream about you that I need to share before I pass because I can feel it has great significance in your life, she explained.

Aria’s stomach twisted to a tight knot, as she recalled the power her grandmother’s dreams possessed.

Wasting no time, Tess delivered the details. Your life will be extraordinary, but it will come with a price. You’ll struggle with constant danger, Aria, she revealed with noticeable concern. Someday, dear, you’ll also have true love, and he’ll find you quite accidentally. But before you even know he’s yours, you’ll feel the unbearable grief of losing him forever.

Grandma Tess paused for a moment to catch her breath. In your grief, however, you’ll become stronger. That’s important. Her grandma paused again. Her strength was waning, but she had to finish. And this is the part that doesn’t make sense right now, but I’m sure it will be clear to you in time.

Her grandma closed her eyes as if she were trying to put a missing piece into a puzzle. With unimaginable luck, you’ll rediscover your one true love.

Now open, Grandma Tess’s eyes were locked on Aria’s, and despite her fear, Aria felt the magnitude of this premonition and knew the course of her life was about to change.

Not long after revealing this secret, Grandma Tess was gone, leaving Aria to live her life anticipating how her grandmother’s cryptic premonition would play out.

Chapter 1

Afew years later.

The night air was frigid and punishing. Aria Donaldson, a young professional working as a realtor in Peoria, Illinois, was unprepared for the premature onset of winter weather. Earlier that evening, when she dressed for her date, she didn’t know she would be left exposed and vulnerable to the elements. She didn’t plan to be drugged, alone, and lost on an unfamiliar road, wandering, trying desperately to get somewhere—anywhere warm and safe.

When she left her quaint two-bedroom apartment on Merchant Street that evening, Aria was looking forward to possibly rekindling a fiery romance. At the very least, she was hopeful she could get some answers to her nagging questions concerning their breakup. Now, Aria found herself exhausted, lost, and fighting desperately to regain even a single memory from the past six hours. She felt queasy and weak, and her will to go on was fading fast. She needed a miracle to survive this ordeal. More so, she needed a guardian angel to save her, protect her, and help her uncover a troubled family history of deception and deadly consequences.

Aria Donaldson was beyond excited; she was over-the-moon elated at the unexpected turn of events in her life. As she danced around her apartment, sipping a half glass of Cab, she recalled those steamy days in St. Lucia with Simon. She met him while on vacation several months prior, and even though their time together was only a couple of weeks, they shared an incredible connection. Admittedly, Aria knew that connection was mostly based on great sex, but she could tell Simon had feelings for her, and there were worse things than having an attentive, sexy man hanging around.

Simon was tall with ocean-blue eyes. His dark waft of slightly unkempt hair set them off, making him seem enticingly mysterious. Aria and Simon met on the beach, and from that point on, they spent nearly every moment together.

But after those glorious days in paradise, a few texts and phone calls trickled in, and then—nothing. The whirlwind romance was over. The speedy demise of their relationship was typical of Aria’s track record. She had experienced her share of flawed relationships that led to an aching, broken heart, but this one stung more than usual because she was so certain Simon had real feelings for her. For him to end up blowing her off was unexpected and disappointing.

The emptiness Aria experienced when Simon stopped contacting her was uncomfortable, but there was no sobbing into her pillow or staring at her phone. Somehow she knew Simon was a long-shot, so Aria got back to her real life as an ambitious realtor. But she had to admit, those sensual island nights with Simon were some great memories.

It had been months since her tropical tryst with Simon, but earlier that day, while getting ready for work, Aria’s heart stopped when she heard her phone ping in the bedroom. But it wasn’t just any ping. It was Simon’s ping! She hadn’t heard that sound in quite a while but knew it instantly. With her hair in a towel and a mouthful of mouthwash, Aria spit in the sink, raced into the bedroom, and grabbed her phone.

Simon: Hey, Re! Are you missing those island sunsets together as much as I am?

Aria’s heart felt like a freight train about to go roaring through her chest. She loved how Simon felt so comfortable calling her Re. The only other person who ever called her that was her best friend, Maria. She could hardly control her trembling fingers enough to text a response. But right before she hit ‘send,’ Aria stopped.

I have to get a grip here. He hasn’t contacted me in months, and all of a sudden, I get Hey, Re? He’s about six months late texting me back, and I’m not supposed to notice? If you were smart, Re, you would leave him hanging for at least a few hours.

Reluctantly, Aria tossed the phone on her bed and continued her morning routine, but she couldn’t stop her mind from wandering.

Meeting Simon in St. Lucia had been such an unexpected surprise. Who knew that quietly staring off into the gorgeous beach sunset and minding her own business could result in two solid weeks of the best sex she ever had? Effortlessly, her mind took her back to that amazing time and place.

I don’t know where you live, but I don’t see sunsets like this where I’m from.

Startled, Aria turned toward the voice to find the most handsome man she had ever seen. In the days to come, they laughed about her inability to form an intelligent sentence as a response. Lost in those blue eyes, exactly the color of the waves on the shore behind him, Aria was too enthralled in his beauty and presence to respond. That moment was the beginning of long walks on the beach, lazy afternoons entwined under a cabana, romantic meals, and raw, adventurous sex.

The mere thought of his touch, his kiss, and his smooth skin next to hers was making Aria incredibly aroused. As far as sex was concerned, Simon had spoiled her, and Aria often wondered if she would experience such remarkable pleasure ever again. And it was this thought that made her hit ‘send’ on her phone that morning.

After returning from the island, Aria was a little surprised by Simon’s rejection. He had seemed so adamant about continuing to stay in touch. Her best friend and brother tried to tell her it was just a vacation fling, but at one time, Aria thought it might be more.

It is what it is, her best friend Maria said casually. Feel lucky to have had such a hot hook-up during your vacation.

Aria seemed to agree, but in a way, she had hoped those two incredible weeks were more than a hook-up.

Aria and her brother Manny had not spoken since returning from that vacation. Manny had been unbelievably rude to Simon, and Aria thought she knew why. Manny had always been overly protective of her, and Aria thought he was upset that she was engaged in a casual, sexual relationship. His constant hurtful comments about Simon hit Aria the wrong way, and she still could not bring herself to face him.

This guy is playing you, Aria. You’re just another fuck. Nothing more, Manny told her one day in St. Lucia.

At the time, she was furious, but looking back, Aria had to admit, that Simon seemed to be one thing, but turned out to be another.

Manny said all along that Simon would ghost her when she returned to the States, and he was right. Aria just wasn’t ready to admit it. Even now, Aria wouldn’t talk to Manny to avoid his ‘I told you so’s.’

After getting Simon’s text that morning, Aria’s head was filled with memories of those steamy vacation days and nights, and suddenly, all she could think about was fucking Simon.

Aria held her wine glass out to see that the half-glass she poured was gone.

Just a half glass, Aria, she reminded herself.

She decided on a half-glass to calm her nerves and not a full glass where she could lose her good judgment. Staring at the empty glass, Aria resisted the temptation to pour another and put it in the dishwasher.

Aria had no idea why Simon was in the States, and it seemed like an odd coincidence that he was in Peoria. In St. Lucia, when she told him where she was from, his bewildered look was unforgettable. People who don’t live in Illinois only know Chicago, so Peoria was entirely foreign to Simon. Now he was here, all the way from St. Lucia, and he wanted to see her.

Aria was somewhat relieved when Simon asked her to meet him at the restaurant because she was nervous about him coming to her apartment. She knew she would be weak, and if she saw him on her doorstep, they would never make it to dinner.

Knowing Simon was unfamiliar with the area, Aria initially suggested a popular steakhouse, thinking that would be his preference.

When he said he had seen an interesting wood-fired pizza place on the fringe of downtown, she confirmed it was Sugar. This choice was even better for Aria. Sugar was only two blocks from her apartment, so she could walk.

Finally, the day’s roller coaster of emotions was over, and Aria walked briskly and purposefully to meet Simon. Before leaving her apartment, she didn’t realize how chilly and sharp the October air was that evening until a frigid blast whisked around a tall building on the corner, chilling her to the bone.

Aria was rethinking the miniskirt and tights with a light blouse and jacket. However, the crisp air was exactly what she needed to clear her head of all expectations. She wanted to appear calm and casual when she finally reunited with the most handsome man she ever knew. She didn’t want to repeat her first encounter with Simon, where she was speechless. She had to be in control this time. She wanted him to regret his abrupt dismissal of their relationship. She wanted him to suffer—just a little.

Aria knew she was fooling herself. She knew that when she saw Simon again, she would not think of anything but kissing his gorgeous mouth and how sensual his smooth skin would feel next to hers. Nonetheless, she hoped the chilly air and the walk to Sugar would provide the willpower she needed to have a nice conversation and a pleasant dinner with Simon and not be obsessed with fucking his brains out.

But Aria never made it to Sugar Wood-Fired Bistro that evening. After losing her memory for hours, Aria found herself fighting for her life.

Chapter 2

Simon Longoria sat in the driver’s seat of his rental, engulfed in darkness. The only visible light was the tip of his cigarette which would glow and wane with each draw. His piercing blue eyes were scanning the endless darkness surrounding his car. This night, of all nights, the darkness was intense without a star in the sky. To further hinder visibility, the moon was completely veiled. Simon took another drag from his cigarette and then flicked it out the window.

The evening had not panned out the way he planned. Somehow, he knew getting someone else involved would complicate his purpose, and it did. Trying not to panic, Simon waited patiently for the call that Aria had been delivered to Frankie, and this whole mess was over. But when the call never came, Simon got a sick feeling that Aria Donaldson had once again complicated his life.

Simon knew he couldn’t complete his mission of grabbing Aria without catching feelings again. He didn’t want to get a third party involved, but it seemed like a logical solution to stay detached this time. It was this detail that led him to Dorcy Adams.

Simon didn’t have any connections in Peoria, and time was a factor. He’d already taken so long, that Halprin sent Frankie to ‘babysit’ him. So, he casually asked around and heard the name Dorcy Adams a few times. Adams was a two-bit hire who would do any job but wasn’t particularly good at any of them. But Simon was desperate. When he found Dorcy at the convenience store buying lotto tickets, Simon decided he would take what he could get.

Dorcy, the nervous, strung-out type, had just scratched off his last lottery ticket from a considerable pile with no big winners. Noticing that Dorcy was mumbling under his breath on the way out, Simon worried that this guy might not be right for the job. But as Simon watched him, he had a hunch and a change of heart. Once outside and out of earshot of others, Simon casually addressed him.

Hey man, I’m new in town and need to find a guy, Simon said coolly.

Dorcy gave Simon the once over, noticing his expensive clothes and his styled hair, and shot him down, feeling like it might be a trap.

Naw, Man. I don’t know anybody, Dorcy said as he started to walk off, so Simon pushed a little harder.

Man, I’m not a cop. I’m not trying to trip you up. I need a simple job done. I pay cash, and then I disappear, Simon explained.

Dorcy was now a bit more intrigued. What kind of job?

Let’s talk somewhere else. I’ll buy you some breakfast. Hop in, Simon offered, opening the door of his rental.

Dorcy looked at Simon and decided if nothing else, he’d get a meal out of it. I’ll meet you at Huddle House down the street, Dorcy said motioning to his car.

Suit yourself, Simon agreed, relieved that this guy had a vehicle if he agreed to the job.

At the restaurant, Simon didn’t waste any time. I need you to grab a girl and then deliver her to an address I’ll provide later. That’s all. Simple, Simon explained.

You mean like kidnap her? Dorcy asked.

Yeah, I’ll make sure she’s where you need her to be, and you snatch her. That’s it, Simon insisted. Simon made it sound so simple.

Of course, Dorcy wanted to know about the pay. I can do that if the price is right, Dorcy confirmed.

I have 5K with your name on it when you deliver. You in or out? Simon asked.

Dorcy thought for a minute. 5K was a lot of fucking money. I’m in, Dorcy said.

The rest of their meeting was spent planning the specifics. When the details were set, Simon told Dorcy to contact him when he had Aria, and he would wait at the restaurant until Dorcy’s call came in.

Can I ask you something, Man? Dorcy questioned before making himself scarce.

Yeah, what? Simon answered.

You’re a nice-looking guy, and I’m sure this broad is probably as classy as you. Why are you slumin’ it by hiring me? I mean, I seem like a square peg here, Dorcy asked boldly.

Simon’s first instinct was that this guy was dumb as shit, but then he thought for a moment. If Simon was honest, he’d explain it was because he couldn’t be trusted to be alone with Aria. The plan to send her back to St. Lucia and hand her over to Deuce Halprin had to be well into motion with no way to back out before he saw her gorgeous face, and before he laid eyes on her perfect body. He needed someone else to snatch her so there wouldn’t be another fiasco like the botched St. Lucia grab. Simon wasn’t sure if he could see her at all, so he needed someone to grab her and get her to Frankie.

In those two weeks in St. Lucia, Simon had fallen in love with Aria, and despite his best efforts, he had not lost those feelings. That’s what made this deception so personal and so difficult. He knew he could not look into those eyes and explain why any of this was happening, so he needed a scum bag like Dorcy to do his dirty work. Simon decided Dorcy didn’t need the awful truth and opted for a simpler response.

None of your fucking business, was all he said before walking away. Simon couldn’t help but wonder if he did the right thing choosing Dorcy for this job. He certainly hoped so because his life depended on it.

Finally, Simon’s phone rang, and he hurried to answer. Yeah?

It’s Dorcy.

What the fuck, Dorcy! What have you been doing?

The long pause from the other end of the phone confirmed Simon’s worst fear.

There’s been a snag, Simon.

A snag? What the hell do you mean?

I don’t have the girl.

You what? Where the fuck is she?

I don’t know. She got away from me, and I’ve been looking for her. The last I saw her was in the backseat of my car after I grabbed her in the alley outside the restaurant. I had to club her with her phone to stop her from fighting me. She was out, and I even put a roofie under her tongue to keep her that way. She was out like a light…and…and then…

Then what? Simon screamed.

Then she was gone.

What? How does that happen? How is that even possible?

I’m not sure. The only thing I can think of is she bailed when I stopped at Circle K for cigarettes and a tall boy. I had a blanket over her, so no one would see her. She hopped out, and I didn’t notice when I got back in.

You didn’t NOTICE! Simon was furious.

I told you. I gave her a whack on the head and a roofie. She was out.

Obviously not, you dumb shit! Keep looking for her! Simon clicked his phone off and threw it on the floorboard. Where the fuck are you, Aria? Dammit!

Simon knew he should have kept feelings out of it in St. Lucia, and he wouldn’t be in this mess. I have to find her. I can’t fail again. I’m a dead man if I can’t deliver Aria Donaldson to Halprin. Where are you Re? Where the fuck are you?

Aria knew Simon was sexy, but she also thought he was a genuinely nice person. But the Simon Longoria Aria knew, and the real Simon Longoria were two very different people. Simon’s life in St. Lucia was filled with danger, drugs, and deception. He was not the world-traveling international banker Aria thought he was. He was involved in one of the most untouchable sex trafficking rings in the world.

Simon’s jaw-dropping good looks and charming personality made him expert bait for young women coming to the island from all over the world. Simon would approach them and turn on the charm. The next thing they knew, they were waking up with a roofie hangover in a cargo container headed to who knew where to live a life of unimaginable terror. The ones from families that had something to offer were ransomed back to scared family members who were happy to do whatever was necessary to get their loved one back and keep the authorities out of it.

Oddly, Simon had become numb to the depravity surrounding his place in the organization. His track record was a perfect 100%. He had never failed to successfully chat up a beautiful woman and convince her to have a drink. His swift timeframe of getting the woman from the pick-up line to passed out in his car was part of his success. Simon knew moving quickly made less time to be spotted by potential witnesses. His other ace in the hole was his choice of women.

Simon was an investigator. He knew who was single and traveling alone. It’s amazing how many young women go to an island like St. Lucia alone, looking for a romantic encounter. Simon’s expertise was sniffing out these women and making them believe he could fulfill that ultimate vacation fantasy—a hot and steamy affair that remained a secret beyond the island paradise.

Simon was also successful because the resorts in St. Lucia were abundant. He rarely visited the same one twice in a season, and Simon knew not to get greedy. His boss never complained about not getting enough ‘product’ because Simon was so professional and efficient, and he didn’t drag bullshit into the business like so many others. He chose his targets and made his timeline for delivering the women without interference from higher-ups in the organization. For these reasons, Simon Longoria was highly respected among his superiors and colleagues.

But it’s a law of motion that what goes up, must eventually come down. Simon had been at the top of his game for a long time, and it was inevitable that his reign would come crashing down.

Numb to the elements, Aria’s strength was fading, but she knew she had to keep going. When she ran out of Dorcy’s car at the gas station, she had no plan, she was not dressed for the weather, and she was struggling to fight off extreme confusion and disorientation. So, she ran, and soon after leaving Dorcy’s car, she lost all awareness of her surroundings.

With a sudden burst of clarity, Aria saw that she was on a road far outside of the city. She was freezing and exhausted, but she knew to keep moving. She had to try and find help—a house, a car…anything. But her clarity was brief when her head began spinning and her feet stopped moving. In one swift motion, Aria collapsed, unconscious and helpless on the side of the road.

Deputy McDonald Mac Brunner was heading home after a long shift working security detail. He was exhausted, humming to Taylor Swift on the radio to try and stay awake. Mac sometimes got grief from his buddies and co-workers about his crush on the famous singer, but he didn’t care. He had a real thing for her, and he didn’t try to hide it one bit.

I never miss a beat.

I’m lightning on my feet.

It was 2:00 AM, and Mac couldn’t help but notice how dark this particular night looked. The fifteen miles home from the club in Marquette was always a boring, lonely drive after a long day and a night of extra work. But tonight, the immense darkness gave off an especially eerie vibe. The only thing he could do to make the drive go faster was turn up the tunes and sing along.

Haters gonna hate, hate, hate…

And then Deputy Brunner noticed something along the side of the road and slowed down to get a better look.

What is that? he said to himself. As he got a little closer, he was even more confused. Is that a person? he questioned in disbelief.

When Deputy Brunner slowed his vehicle to a crawl, his confusion turned to horror as he realized it was a young woman. He immediately grabbed his phone and dialed 911. "This is Deputy Mac Brunner