White Lies (A Twisted Fate Series) (Volume 1) (36 page)

I tried to fight it, but a little tired yawn came out of me.

Trent stood. “One last thing; I had this ring designed with a panic button installed. You press in these two places—where the diamonds are—simultaneously for three seconds.” Trent showed me to two spots on the ring.

He handed me the ring, and I slipped it on.

“Try it.”

With minimum effort, I pushed in the stones. His phone beeped with an alert. My hand shook as I looked down at it
. I had a ring with a panic button
. My life was not my own. Trent’s hand landed on top of mine. “It’s only precautionary, Willow. There’s a tracking device in it, too. All of these precautions only make it safer for you and the baby.”

I took a steadying breath. “I won’t take it off.”

“Good. I’m going to share your frequency with the men.” Gathering his stuff, Trent walked to the door. I followed. “Get some rest, Willow. We’ll be right outside the door if you need anything. The room has been swept multiple times.”

“Thanks. Goodnight, Trent. Try to get some sleep.”

“Once I catch this motherfucker, I’ll sleep.”

And like that, he was gone.

I yawned and plodded over to the couch with my phone. I was going to close my eyes for only a second.

I
n a haze, I awoke and looked at the time. Nearly four hours had passed since I’d fallen asleep. It was early evening. A text from Trent flashed on the screen of my phone as a reminder that I hadn’t read it.

Trent: Mr. Russo came back and retired early. He wanted me to let you know if you needed anything to knock on his door.

Me: Thanks. I just woke up. I didn’t hear him come in.

Trent: That’s what he said. He also confirmed he refuses to learn how to text. His whole life he’s gone without it. No reason to start now.

Me: Sounds like Nonno. I’m going to bed shortly, too.

Trent: Sounds good. I’m briefing Andre outside.

I got up and opened the suite door to see Andre there. I hadn’t seen him since the accident. The doctor had released him from the hospital but hadn’t signed his release to return to work. He gave me a grin, and I threw my arms around him. “Thank you for getting us out of the car like you did. You saved our lives.”

He patted my back. “I’m glad I could help, Ms. Russo. Wish I could have done more.”

“You saved us. You saved my baby by getting us out so fast and meeting the medics. You gave us enough warning to buckle up.”

“Just doing my job.”

I gave him another hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.” Pulling back, I saw him blush as he nodded. “Let me know if any of you guys need anything. I saw Paul today after I visited Carson. He’s healing well, too.”

“Yes, he is. Sleep well, Ms. Russo.”

“Thank you, Andre. When it’s time for you to sleep, I hope you rest well, too.”

I headed back into the suite, changed into my pajamas, and washed my face. Andre was back. Paul was healing. Now, all we needed was Carson to wake up.

Mildred had sent several changes of clothes and my toiletries to the hospital when they initially set up camp here. It felt good to have my things. Heading back out to the main area, I folded the blanket and put up the empty waters from earlier.

My stomach growled.
I should probably eat something.
Bennett and Marie had stocked our fridge with food as well as given us cart-blanche access to room service.

A quick sandwich would be perfect. I set about making it, wondering when I would be able to fill Tack in. He still hadn’t made any contact, which worried me. What if he was hurt? Or in trouble? I pushed away those thoughts.

The sandwich tasted heavenly.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

An unknown number showed up on my display. I pushed Talk.

“Hello?”

“Willow, its Tack.”

Tack
. He called me. Finally. The lilt of his voice was something I’d needed to hear more than I knew. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m sorry it took me a bit. It’s been a clusterfuck. I visited you in the hospital.”

It hadn’t been a dream. I felt warmth spread through me. “I kind of remember. I was pretty out of it. But the baby and I are okay.” Without thinking my hand went to my stomach.

“I know. I kept close tabs on you. I was scared shitless.”

“Me, too.” The hairs on my neck stood, and I looked around at the familiarity I felt. The area was empty. No one was here.

“Willow?”

My voice became a whisper. “Yes.”

“I need you to keep an open mind. We don’t have much time with the delayed recording on your phone.”

“O-o-okay.”

My heart sped up. What in the world did Tack need me to keep an open mind about?

There was a long sigh. Then his accent morphed into something familiar. “Promise me you’ll keep an open mind, sweetheart.”

“What happened to your Irish accent?”

My heart hammered in my chest again, and I knew my life was about to be turned upside down.

A few seconds passed before Tack said, “Remember… keep an open mind, sweetheart. Look toward the bedroom door.”

Goose bumps raced along my skin. My eyes darted to the bedroom door. A body appeared in the darkened doorway.

My body pulsed.

Adrenaline raced through my blood.

The body moved into the light.

Everything in me froze.

Nothing made sense.

How was this happening?

There was no way.

This is not happening.

Shocked, I whispered, “Alex?”

Continue reading the conclusion of Willow’s story in Black Truth.

Sometimes the
black truth
is scarier than the
white lie.

Below is a list of songs that remind me of White Lies and Black Truth

Unsteady – X Ambassadors

Yours – Ella Henderson

Close – Nick Jonas

Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri

Every Time We Touch – Cascada (Yanou’s Candlelight Mix)

Jet Black Heart – 5 Seconds of Summer

Listen to Your Heart – D.H.T., Edmee

For You – Demi Lovato

Stone Cold – Demi Lovato

Black Magic – Little Mix

Stay – Rihanna

Should’ve Been Us – Tori Kelly

Far Away – Nickelback

You Ruin Me – The Veronicas

Heart of Stone – Iko

4 In The Morning – Gwen Stefani

PILLOWTALK – ZAYN

Let It Go – James Bay

Say Something – A Great Big World

Hurt – Christina Aguilera

Take A Bow – Rihanna

Beneath Your Beauty – Labrinth

Never Say Never – The Fray

Cry – Rihanna

Heaven – DJ Sammy

Can’t Help Falling in Love – Haley Reinhart

Say You Love Me – Jessie Ware

Please Don’t Say You Love Me – Gabrielle Aplin

Wild Horse – Natasha Bedingfield

Poison & Wine – The Civil Wars

Salvation – Gabrielle Aplin

Concrete Angel – Christin

Available Now

The Trust Series

Trust Me

Love Me

Promise Me

Full-length novels in the TRUST series are also available in audio from Tantor Media.

The Effect Series

Ripple Effect

Domino Effect

The Twisted Fate Series

White Lies

Black Truth

Stand Alone Novels

Innocence

Bane

Finding Forever
(co-written with Kelly Elliott)

Coming Soon

Whispered Promises
– January 2016

Untouched Perfection

Flawless Perfection