Conned by You Read online

  Conned by You

  Marilyn Williams

  Copyright © 2020 Marilyn Williams

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Cover design by: Kayla Creations

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-one

  Chapter Forty-two

  Chapter Forty-three

  Chapter One

  It’s the start of a new year, and Ava has adjusted to her position as CFO of JTH Properties. At first, some of the executive staff had discounted her abilities and viewed her as someone who was given a title because of her engagement to Justin. But within two months of her employment, she has streamlined operating costs and discontinued contractual obligations unbeneficial to the company. As a result, JTH can increase their bi-yearly bonuses. With more money in their pockets, Ava has gained the respect of the executive team.

  “I’ll email you a list of areas we should explore, but here are my top two. One. Considering the recent building vacancies, we need to verify the landlord’s solvency,” said Ava. She sat with her pen pressed against her chin, and with a subtle sway of her chair, she contemplated her next issue of concern.

  Her administrative assistant, Kasey, knitted her well-groomed brows as she tapped away on her laptop keyboard. She has worked for Ava just over a month, and she has already learned most of Kasey’s nonverbal cues.

  “In layman’s terms, we need to look into the landlord’s records to verify his ability to pay his bills,” she continued. “We can search for bankruptcies, property liens, or anything else that’ll show a financial hardship.

  Kasey nodded her head as if she understood.

  “I want the building’s current property value, and a spreadsheet showing our rent increase percentage from the first signed lease until current.”

  Kasey closed her laptop. “When do you need the information?”

  Ava’s lips curled upward. “By the end of the day.”

  “I’ll forward your request to the appropriate departments and have it on your desk before you leave.”

  “Thank you, Kasey.”

  She responded with a polite smile before exiting the office.

  Ava had spent two weeks conducting interviews for an assistant but failed to fill the position. She’d almost given up when she ran across Kasey’s resume on a job recruitment website. At thirty-six, she had years of experience in her field, and her skills were top notch. Ava interviewed her, they clicked right away, and she offered Kasey the job on the spot.

  After returning a phone call, Ava pushed her white leather chair away from her glass desk and rose to her feet. She walked to the opposite end of the hall and knocked on the closed door.

  “Come in!”

  “Hey, busy?” she asked after she cracked open the door.

  Justin swiveled in his chair to face her. “Never for you.” He gestured her towards him with his hand. “I just hung up with Elijah and he’s sending over a copy of the new lease agreement.”

  “About that…” Her lips spread into a thin line as she moved closer to him. “We’re not renewing the lease just yet.”

  His brows furrowed. “We’re not?”

  She nodded her head and braced herself against his desk. “I have legal and Kasey working on something. I believe we have areas to renegotiate.”

  “Such as?”

  “The tenants who occupied the first through fifth floors have moved out. Since there’s a vacancy, I have an idea that can save us money and give your brand more recognition.”

  Justin leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed. “I’m listening.”

  “What if we shut down the LA satellite office and transfer everyone here? We can lease the bottom six floors, therefore occupy the entire building.”

  “I see how that saves money, but not an increase in brand recognition.”

  “By becoming sole occupants of the building, we’ll add a clause to the lease that’ll give us an option for exclusive building signage.”

  “And you believe that’s a point we can negotiate into the lease at this late stage?”

  “I don’t see why not?” She shrugged. “We are saving him from the search for new occupants.”

  Justin nodded with a smile. “Each recommendation has been more impressive than the last.”

  “I assume you like the idea.”

  “Love it.” He pulled her towards him, causing her to fall onto his lap.

  “I’ll handle the entire negotiations from start to finish with Elijah, and I’ll advise you when we’re ready to sign.”

  “Whatever you say, Mrs. Harrington.” He placed his hand on the nape of her neck, pulling her forward into a kiss.

  “We’re not married, yet.”

  “We should talk about a date.”

  She turned away and frowned. “Since we’re both witnesses in Brandon’s trial, we should wait until Fall of next year.”

  “We can’t allow Brandon to ruin this time for us. His trial shouldn’t dictate when we get married.”

  Ava’s eyes narrowed as her lips pursed in frustration. “Why did he have to change his plea? It’s as if he refuses to give me a minuscule of peace.”

  “Babe, it’s all over for him.” He stroked her back. “He’s facing life in prison. Soon, you won’t ever have to see him again.”

  She looked into his blue eyes. “I can only pray that’s true.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Changing the subject. Don’t forget we’re having dinner with Nina and Dale.”

  “Don’t remind me.” She sucked her teeth and sighed.

  “Be nice. It was Nina’s idea for the four of us to connect.”

  “And can you remind me why you accepted the invite?”

  He expelled a heavy sigh. “I thought you two buried the hatchet after our engagement.”

  “We did.” A frown accompanied her lowered gaze. “But her efforts seem phony.”

  “Just try to be nice, okay?”

  “I promise only my best behavior tonight.” Ava kissed Justin’s lips and lifted herself from his lap. “My day has ended.
I’m going home to nap before our couples date night.”

  “I’ll wrap up here after my next meeting, and I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  ∞∞∞

  “Can we skip dessert and leave right after dinner?” asked Ava, she slipped on her large diamond hoop earrings.

  “I realize you and Nina share a contentious past, but you promised to try to get along.” He tied his dress shoes.

  “I guess I’m supposed to pretend she didn’t confess her love for you and expected you two to run away together.”

  Justin smoothed out the hem of his button-down shirt and slipped on his black blazer. “The conversation didn’t go exactly like that, and you know it.”

  “How did she react to the other women you’ve dated? With me, she’s behaved as if we were in a competition with you as the prize.”

  Justin adjusted his Rolex around his wrist. “Did she make snarky comments about the women? Yes. But she never campaigned against anyone as hard as she did with you.”

  Ava stroked a tube of berry lipstick across her lips. “It’s because, of all the people you fell in love with, it was with someone she disliked.”

  Justin shrugged. “None of it matters because she and I know where we stand. Nothing more needs to be said.”

  She threw her lipstick into her purse. “Ready to leave?”

  He grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist. “What if I told you how stunning you look in your sexy white jeans? Would that put you in a better mood?”

  Ava smiled and stroked his beard with the tips of her fingers. “Maybe.”

  “And I love your pink off-the-shoulder shirt.” He kissed her bare skin.

  “Keep it coming with the compliments. I feel my mood improving with each one.” She laughed and backed out of his arms. “We better get going.”

  Forty minutes later, the couple arrived at a reservation-only steakhouse. Nina and Dale sat a table near the front of the restaurant. Ava eyed Nina with a hint of a smile, it was the first time she had seen her dressed up. She wore a black sequined top with black latex pants. She looked dressed more for a rock concert than a quiet dinner. Dale, on the other hand, looked her complete opposite in a casual dress shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

  “Hi, guys,” said Nina, rising to her feet. She hugged Justin first and gave Ava a quick wave. Dale and Justin shook hands, and he gave Ava a polite hug before taking his seat. Ava sat beside Justin at the rectangular-shaped table. The waiter took their drink order and quickly returned with two glasses of red wine for the women and two beers for the men.

  “Ava how is it working with Justin in your new position?” asked Nina. Her lips formed a smirk as she lifted her glass.

  So much for the buried hatchet. “It’s great. So far, it’s been both a reward and a challenge.”

  Nina sipped her wine. “Some of us are not fortunate to have a fiancé move us to the top of the corporate ladder.”

  Ava shot Justin a look and hoped he scolded his friend in the same manner he did her.

  “I didn’t offer Ava anything she wasn’t qualified for,” said Justin. “If I’m not mistaken, you recommended her as your replacement before your transfer.”

  “I did,” said Nina.

  “I have an idea,” said Dale. “Let’s disregard business for the night.”

  “I second that,” said Justin. “How are the kids?”

  “Mischievous as ever.” Dale shook his head and laughed. “For the past week, Nico has refused to wear nothing but his Spiderman costume from Halloween.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” asked Ava followed by a laugh.

  “Nope. Wait, I have a picture.” Dale scrolled through his phone and handed it across the table to Justin. Ava leaned closer to see the photo of the cute three-year-old in a Spiderman suit covered with dirt smudges and food stains.

  “He won’t allow you to wash it?” asked Justin.

  “No,” said Nina, rejoining the conversation. “I’ve tried everything from bribery and removing it in his sleep. Nothing works.” She laughed.

  Ava sipped from her glass. “Tell him the dirty suit loses its superhero powers. If he wants to regain his full strength, he must clean it.”

  Nina and Dale glanced at each other and smiled. “We never thought of that,” said Dale.

  “I think I’ll try it when we return home,” said Nina. “Thank you, Ava.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  After the group finished their meal, Nina asked Ava to accompany her into the ladies’ room. After an internal reluctance, she agreed. She followed Nina to the restroom, which was quite the distance from their table. Maybe she wanted to get in her face about talking to only Dale during dinner. Ava couldn’t help he’s much easier to get along with. He’s able to hold an intelligent conversation without throwing in snide remarks. It boggles the mind how such a pleasant man fell in love, married, and had three adorable kids with such an uptight and bitchy woman.

  The women entered the citrus-scented restroom. Nina stood in front of the mirror and fluffed her curly tresses, while Ava reapplied her lipstick. She placed the cap on the tube and threw it into her pink Birkin bag. She turned towards Nina, who still busied herself with her reflection.

  “I’m sure you didn’t ask me in here to watch you fluff your hair.”

  Nina huffed and faced her. “I didn’t. I apologize for ragging on you about your job. I’m positive you will excel in your position.”

  Ava eyed her suspiciously. “Thank you.”

  “Seriously, I want nothing but the best for Justin and by extension that includes you. I love him like a brother, and you make him happier than I’ve ever seen him.”

  “You sound like you mean it.”

  “I do. The reason I asked you here is to warn you about something I heard from a friend of a friend.”

  Ava leaned in with her interest piqued. “What did you hear?”

  “This information has already traveled through the pipeline, so it may contain missing parts.”

  “What is it, Nina?”

  “It’s about Lindsey.”

  “Meyers?”

  Nina nodded her head. “I’ve been told she’s beyond pissed over the way Chris ended their relationship, and you know what happened to the baby.”

  “I heard she miscarried, but that isn’t news.”

  “I was told she’s out for blood.”

  “If she is, why tell me and not Justin?” asked Ava.

  She dismissively waved her hand and scoffed. “You know, Justin. He’s Mr. Forgiveness. Your suspicious mind will allow you to keep your guard up if she comes around.”

  Nina’s dig didn’t go unnoticed. “If I see her, which I doubt I will, I’ll keep what you said in mind.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  Chapter Two

  Lindsey Meyers drove through the hills of Rancho Santa Fe. She rushed through the open privacy gates and parked her car on the circular driveway. The Meyers family was well known in their country club community. Tom was a wealthy retired heart surgeon who currently worked for the FDA, and Elizabeth filled her days by spending his money. They were an odd-looking couple. He stood tall and lean at six-three with a head full of snow-white hair, round face, with a long broad nose. When he entered the room, he commanded respect, and when he opened his mouth to speak his deep voice ensured everyone listened. On the other hand, her mother was a fifty-year-old unnatural blonde, five-three, with big deep-set blue eyes, and a perky nose she kept stuck high in the air.

  “Dad!” She bellowed down the hall after shutting the front door. “Dad!” Lindsey sauntered towards the one place she knew where to find him. Out of the ten rooms in the home, the library is where he spent ninety percent of his time.

  “Lyn!” The gray-haired man rose from his chair and removed his reading glass. He stepped towards his daughter and wrapped his arms around her.

  “Where’s Mom?” She kissed his cheek before backing out of his embrace.

  “At the spa. Sit.�
� He gestured towards a chair. “How are you? I’ve been worried. You haven’t returned my calls or stopped by.”

  Lindsey’s shoulders slumped, and her eyes scanned the floor. “It’s been hard, daddy. I wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone.”

  Tom crossed his legs as he relaxed in his chair. “I’m about to make a suggestion you might construe as minimizing your pain.”

  She glared at him through her false eyelashes. “I’m not lying on some shrink’s couch!”

  “Lyn, it’s been eight months. I believe you’ll benefit from outside help.”

  She wiped her wet eyes. “I never thought I wanted to be a mom until I lost my baby. So unfair, daddy!”

  “It is sweetheart.” He leaned forward in his chair. “But, just as any other obstacle in life, you’ll get through it. Take comfort in knowing it wasn’t anything you did. You had an incompetent cervix. It’s more common than you realize.”

  Lindsey removed a tissue from her Chanel bag and dabbed the corners of her eyes. The pain she has experienced has been indescribable. Her nightmare began with the passing of a blood clot and contraction-like pain. A friend rushed her to the hospital, and she’ll never forget the moment she learned she’d lost her baby at sixteen weeks. The doctor didn’t have to say a word. She’d predicted the outcome the moment they wheeled her into the emergency room. The reason the doctor gave for the miscarriage felt like a cruel sick joke. Who has ever heard of a weak cervix?

  She’d returned home without the life that grown inside her and suffered for months in agony without a peep from Chris. He’d kicked them out of his house and life without a backward glance. So, her father was correct. It wasn’t anything she did to contribute to the loss of her child. There’s one person who carried the full weight of the blame, and she intended to make him pay.

  “Daddy, thank you for your concern, but I don’t need anyone’s help.”

  “How do you plan to heal? You can’t continue this way.”

  “Chris didn’t want me or his baby. He rejected me over and over again.” Her eyes narrowed as they settled on Tom’s annoyed face. “I will heal when Chris pays for what he’s done!”