Between Truth & Lies: An Age Gap Romance (Rosavale Book 2) Read online

  “Doesn’t make it any less dangerous.”

  “Are you worried about me? Or are you just interested in my daily routine?”

  “I am worried,” he said and I was surprised by his direct answer. “I want to reward you for saving my life. Tell me what you want and I’ll make it happen.”

  This was what I expected but it was infuriating. He was conceited, thinking that with money this debt he believed he had with me would have been paid off.

  I deadpanned. “I don’t want anything.”

  His mouth set into a firm line. “Fine then, I’ll get you a decent place out of here and a better car. Yours is probably ruined because of the blood.”

  “What?” I gasped with feigned shock. “You’re going to give me a house and a car because I helped you? Anyone else would have done the same.”

  “Yet it wasn’t anyone. It was you.” His tone was cynical. “If you knew how many people around here would have finished killing me in that situation then you would understand.”

  I knew what he meant all too well. Devan wanted to destroy Rosa and everything around it. Leaving those people homeless for his personal gain. It had been said that he was pressuring the mayor and city council to solve the problem. Some even said that he planned to build a mall and hotels in that space.

  “Thank you, but you don’t have to give me anything.”

  “I insist.”

  Exasperated, I sighed. “Mr. Ashford…” I trailed off when I saw his eyes darken and his expression became heavy. I remembered my mom telling me to be submissive. Timidly, I lowered my eyes and crossed my hands over my lap. “Mr. Ashford, I can’t accept anything. But thanks for the generous offer. You don’t owe me a thing.”

  “Yes, I do and you can call me Devan like everyone else.”

  I looked up from my lashes and noticed that he was staring at my lips. My belly churned with nervousness and the raw power of his expression. I didn’t have to pretend that I was being dominated and subdued. It was the purest truth. And that was the worst of it. How could I try to manipulate a man if I lost myself amidst the sensations he aroused in me?

  For the first time since this all began, I experienced a thrilling sense of anticipation. What would it be like pleasuring a man like Devan?

  His gaze returned to mine as the air heaved and cracked. For a moment we stayed like that, staring at each other. My heart raced and my breathing faltered as my whole body tingled. I looked down again and twisted the hem of my shirt around my fingers.

  “Belvana. Look at me.” His authoritative voice drove my head up as he stood. “I’ll get you a better job too and I won’t take no for an answer. Wait for me to get in touch.”

  With long, determined steps he walked toward the door. Was he leaving?

  “Mr. Ashford,” I called quietly, but he opened the door, ignoring me. “Devan, please…” He stopped, but his back was turned to me. “I can’t. I-I can’t accept it.”

  “You can and it’s already been decided. I’ll be in touch.” Without another word, he left, closing the door behind him.

  Three

  Belvana

  I expected Devan to contact me shortly after our last encounter, but he didn’t. Each day I woke up anxious with a pressure in my chest and the expectation of seeing him again. I was alert at all times, so as to not be caught off guard. I had to be prepared for him and anticipate his actions.

  The week went on and until Wednesday I hadn’t heard from him. Mom told me to find a way to run into him accidentally again but I didn’t. It would have been obvious and suspicious in my opinion. Therefore, I carried on as usual.

  The sun that day was bright, casting the everyday hues of the marketplace into vivid glows. There wasn’t much movement that afternoon and I worked quietly as always, wearing my hair in a bun, a dreadful brown apron over my jeans, and a red T-shirt with the words: Uncle Sam’s embroidered on it. It wasn’t anyone’s dream job, and I often thought about quitting, but I needed it. Devan had to see that I was a suffering, lonely, but hardworking girl.

  Shortly after three that afternoon, a woman walked in catching everyone’s attention. “Belvana, go to her,” Mr. Henderson whispered from behind the till.

  I scooped up the menu and met her at the entrance. “Welcome to Uncle Sam’s. Would you like a table for two?”

  The brunette was accompanied by an older man who was in a black suit and stood two feet behind her. She was slim and tall. Even more so with her heels. She was dressed in a lavender-colored silk dress that seemed expensive.

  “Belvana Roberts?” The tone of her voice was sultry and her eyes were as dark as her hair.

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  “Shayleigh Easton.” She thrust her hand in my direction and I shook it. “I’m Devan’s assistant.”

  “How can I help you?”

  “Devan asked me to come…” She glanced around, seeming uncomfortable with the surroundings. I couldn’t blame her though. Everyone was staring at her; she stood out from the crowd of regular working people in jeans, sneakers, and T-shirts. “Can we talk for a minute?”

  “I’m working.” I clasped the menus close to my chest.

  “There aren’t many people here. I’m sure you could spare me a few minutes. I’ll sit over there and wait. In the meantime, you can bring us something to drink.”

  “Okay, I’ll check with my boss. What would you like to drink?”

  “Do you have sparkling water?”

  “No, just still.”

  “How about fresh orange juice?”

  “There’s orange soda.”

  “Then two sodas please.” With her spine straight, she sauntered to an empty table.

  I rushed back to the counter and leaned onto it, addressing Mr. Henderson. “Two orange sodas.” Mr. Henderson placed the two cans and glasses on a tray. “And, um, is it okay if I sit with her for a while? She said she wants to talk to me.”

  “That’s fine, but if another customer comes in then you have to get back to work.”

  “Thank you.” Holding the tray, I spun on my heels and walked to Shayleigh’s table. Before sitting down, I set the glasses and soda cans on the table.

  “This is Jonas,” Shayleigh said, introducing the man. “He’s part of Devan’s security team. Devan insisted that he come with me given the recent events.”

  I smiled at Jonas and he acknowledged me with a curt nod of his head. “Could you tell me why you’re here? I can’t be sitting here for too long; my boss only gave me a minute.”

  She pushed a manila envelope across the table. “Devan apologizes for the delay and he wants to know if these are to your liking. If they aren’t, he’ll change it to whatever you prefer.”

  Shifting my chair closer to the table, I reached for the envelope and pulled out the papers inside. I scanned the first document. It was an employment contract to work in the city as a receptionist, but not in any of the Ashford companies. That wouldn’t work. I needed to work for him and preferably in the same office. Without going through the rest of the papers, I set them down and folded my hands over my chest.

  “What do you think?” Shayleigh’s lips curved upwards. “The pay isn’t bad and the house—”

  I pushed the envelope back to her. “Thank you, but I don’t want any of this.”

  Shayleigh scrunched her face as if confused. “Miss Roberts, are you sure? The apartment is within walking distance to the job and it’s in one of the safest districts. Devan wants me to make it very clear that if you like the apartment, he will buy it for you. That’s the least he can do for helping him and—”

  “As I said, Miss Easton, or should I say Mrs. Easton,” I mumbled, noticing what seemed like a wedding band on her finger. “I don’t need any of this. I already have a house and a job.”

  I tapped my foot under the table. Devan was pushing me away. He got me a job and a house in the city and not in Rosavale. And he sent his assistant instead of talking to me in person. This was not the plan. I needed to be close
to him and his family.

  I swallowed my rage and picked up the empty tray. “Sorry, but I have to get back to work.”

  “Belvana, the city is huge with many opportunities and it’s safer than where you currently live. You grew up there and Devan thought you might like to go back.”

  “I don’t want to live in the city, I moved for a reason. I like peace and quiet which is not the case there. Also, I don’t need anyone’s pity. Please tell your boss that I know how to support myself, I’ve been fine without him for the past twenty-two years. I’ve told him this already but I’ll repeat it to you as well: he owes me nothing. Now, excuse me.”

  I didn’t give her a chance to say anything else and stepped away. My irritation was not fake. I waited days for him and the bastard sent his assistant in his place with that proposal to push me away.

  Devan Ashford was not going to get rid of me so easily.

  “What happened over there?” Mr. Henderson pried when I returned to the counter.

  “Nothing,” I growled. “Absolutely nothing.”

  He scoffed but didn’t press for more.

  Shayleigh and her bodyguard left, leaving the drinks untouched and a bill on the table.

  I wanted to see what Devan would do now. Would he give up and forget I existed? Or would he try to approach me himself? If he didn’t, I would have to think of another way to cross his path yet again. But this was far from over.

  Devan

  Nightingale was a local bar and restaurant in Rosavale. It was much quieter on weekdays and that was how I preferred it. There was a time when I frequented the place more often, however my visits were now occasional and I only came because of Patrice; she was an old friend. One of the few I had.

  Behind the bar, she stopped tapping on a calculator and her face lit up when she saw me. A few heads turned as I made my way to her but that was common here. People were always curious about me and my family. I sat on one of the empty benches in front of her.

  “You remembered that you have a friend here?” She grinned, placing a glass in front of me, and poured whiskey with two ice cubes. “You’ve looked better. How’s the shoulder?”

  “Brand new.” I took a sip of the drink, snubbing the wounds that were still quite painful.

  “Any news on who did this to you or information about your car?”

  “Nothing. They deactivated the car’s GPS and Garcia thinks they’ll strip it down and sell the parts, but I haven’t given up.”

  “It was always so calm here and now things like these are happening more frequently.” Bending over, Patrice rested her arms on the counter. “Those slums are attracting all kinds of danger. Are you still fighting to get them out of there?”

  “Yes. They’re nothing but trouble.” It was a constant struggle. I used power, money, and my influence to dismantle the rising gangs in the area. That was why drug trafficking and other crimes were no longer expanding to Rosavale.

  “All of us here would be grateful if they disappeared. I just feel bad for the people who are there because they can’t afford to go anywhere else. It’s sad, but that’s life for ya’.”

  “I know and that’s the only reason I haven’t completely gotten rid of Rosa. I’m working on a project to help those families, but it’s still months away from being ready.”

  “You have an amazing heart, do you know that?” Patrice reached for my hand and chuckled when I didn’t acknowledge her comment. “So, how are things on the farm?”

  “Much calmer. Lola’s still in shock with the whole situation, but we’re coping.”

  A customer walked in. Although the man seemed intent on getting Patrice’s attention, she let one of the waitresses tend to him.

  I finished the drink and she offered another but that would be pushing it since I was still on medication. I declined and asked for a bottle of water instead.

  “Did you hear about—?”

  “Just a moment,” I cut Patrice mid-sentence when I saw Shayleigh’s name flash on the screen of my phone, and Belvana’s blue eyes came to mind. “Shayleigh, how did it go?”

  Patrice collected the empty glasses and went to the sink to wash them. My gaze went down the curvy body inside the tight dress. She was an attractive woman and I admired her but didn’t desire her. She was the person I ran to when I needed a friend and I couldn’t ruin years of friendship because of sex.

  Shayleigh let out a long breath before saying, “She refused everything, Devan.”

  “Why?” My brows knitted and I swung the seat turning away from Patrice.

  “She said she already has a house and a job.”

  “So fucking stubborn,” I growled irritated.

  “Yeah, it takes one to know one but I think it’s more than that. I think she was offended.”

  “Did you tell her the apartment is just a block away from the job I got her? Did you show her the pictures?”

  “Sure, I said what I could before she walked away. She didn’t accept. She even said that she doesn’t want to live in the city.”

  I was going to curse, but I stopped myself and sucked in a breath. “What did you think of the place where she works?”

  “It’s not the best. I mean it’s the flea market but it seems like a decent place.”

  “Dammit,” I gritted through clenched teeth. “Why is she so proud when she clearly needs help?”

  “She’s allowed to have her pride, Devan.”

  Our meeting at her house made me more aware of her as a woman because of the way she looked at me. Her sweetness and naïveté were striking. However, she was a child and I would be a shameless wanton if I took advantage of that. I had to keep her away from me.

  I preferred older, experienced women who weren’t clingy and understood what I wanted from them. Women who were strong and prepared to handle my desires and when we parted ways, it would be over. A woman to put up with me had to be knowledgeable about the dark and violent side of sex and Belvana was the antithesis of it all.

  I didn’t want to be attracted to her, yet it happened, almost instantaneously, and I decided to never lay a finger on her.

  “Devan?” Shayleigh called, pulling me out of my disturbing thoughts. “Do you want me to insist?”

  “No. You can go home, Shayleigh. Thank you for everything.”

  “You’re welcome. If you change your mind, let me know.”

  “Goodbye.” I put the phone in my pocket and paid for my bill.

  “Problems?” Patrice asked as I stood.

  “They never seem to escape me.”

  “I hope you don’t have to get shot again for me to see you.”

  I chuckled. “Hopefully not. I have to go, Patrice. It was good seeing you.”

  She leaned over the counter and I pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Remember to take it easy while you heal.”

  “I am. I didn’t even go into the office this whole week.”

  Shaking her head, she laughed. “How impressive.”

  I left the bar, my mind consumed by Belvana. I didn’t have to see her. I didn’t have to go after her. Shayleigh was more than capable of handling the situation, but I couldn’t resist the temptation of seeing her one more time.

  I got into my recently purchased black armored Land Rover. As much as Lola insisted that I needed a bodyguard, I wasn’t going to be intimidated by a robbery.

  My right shoulder ached with certain movements as I drove. I cruised the town at a low speed toward Rosavale’s Flea Market and parked on the sidewalk opposite the entrance of the market.

  I hopped out of the car and shut the door, cursing under my breath because I had done it with my right arm and my shoulder burned. Leaning against the vehicle, I waited for the pain to subside before crossing to the busy streets of the market.

  The last time I had been here, I was eleven. More than twenty years ago. My mother had come from a humble household and it was here where my maternal grandparents earned a living. Grandma used to make baskets and sold them here and my grandfather wa
s a carpenter. Even after my parents married, they never stopped doing what they loved. Sometimes Mom would come and sit with her and my father always made her bring one of her children.

  It was different from what I remembered, but I was able to find Uncle Sam’s Restaurant. The awning that was once red was faded to pink and it lacked some letters on the sign.

  I sauntered in and Belvana was taking the order of a group of men who were leering at her. Nodding, she took notes on a tiny notepad. Her hair was up and an ugly brown apron was draped around her waist. Even in her simplicity, she was beautiful. When she spun and strode to the bar, the men started whispering and ogling at her ass. For an unknown reason, my blood began to boil.

  Why did I care? She was nothing to me.

  Belvana headed back to their table with a tray of drinks, balancing it on one hand. She dropped their order and was returning to the bar.

  I couldn’t understand why she preferred to spend every day cleaning tables and taking risks by driving home after dark, instead of accepting my proposal to have a decent job and housing. I wanted to throw her over my shoulders and get her out of here.

  When she saw me, she stopped short and surprise etched across her face. My irritation was displaced by something more intimate. It was a strong desire and admiration. I strolled toward her and the distance between us narrowed.

  Our gazes locked and an energy vibrated around us. It was intense and I couldn’t pretend that the attraction didn’t exist, it was too obvious. But I was determined to fight it. She was too young, but she glanced down in a servile manner and my whole body stiffened. It was as if she obeyed my silent command. I was taken aback by the way I was drawn to her innocence. This girl was messing with me more than I wanted to admit.

  “I want you to accept the house and the job.”

  Belvana blinked as if my words had taken her out of some kind of trance. She raised her head further to look me in the eye but not with defiance.

  The distance that separated us was minimal, insufficient to prevent me from feeling the vigor that drew and attracted me to her. It was torture. I ended up managing to keep the reins of the situation and appeared to be in greater control than I felt.