Betrayed by You Read online

  Betrayed 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: The Cover Collection

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Prologue

  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 Forty-four

  Prologue

  Two years ago

  It was almost six, and Ava sat in the near empty office building. Everyone on her floor had gone home except for her supervisor, Pete. He’s always the last to leave and the first to arrive. Until she met him, she’d thought she was the only person who had an unhealthy dedication to their job.

  Ava gathered her purse and briefcase. It had been a long day, and a glass of wine along with an evening of binge-watching Friends on Netflix sounded like heaven. She waved to the security attendant before entering the elevator to the parking garage. Ava pressed the P2 button on the panel, and as the doors closed, her mind replayed a conversation she had with a client earlier that day. It infuriated him the bank had declined his loan. In response, he’d called her a bitch and blamed her if his business failed. He’d told her he would ruin her career, and she would never get another job in finance again.

  Ava exited the elevator. The click-clack of her four-inch heels echoed throughout the dimly lit garage. From the corner of her eye, she noticed movement to her left. She turned and found no one there. She formed a fist around her keys as she hurried to her car. The parking garage was for public use, and sometimes vagrants trespassed to beg for money.

  When she neared her car, the persons face was no longer hidden in a cloud of darkness. His menacing, deep-set eyes narrowed while his mouth curled into a sneer. Her eyes shifted between the distance of where he stood and her car. She discreetly pressed the unlock button on her key fob. He stepped forward, and in one quick motion, she made a frantic dash towards the driver’s side. Ava jumped into her car and slammed the door behind her. He placed multiple blows with his fist to her window. Her hand trembled as she pressed the engine’s start button. Ava hit the gas and sped out of the garage, leaving him behind in her rearview.

  Chapter One

  Ava Sinclair rushed through the crosswalk of the four-lane busy street to Calhoun’s, a popular bar in downtown Atlanta. As she approached the entrance, her eyes shifted towards the screen on her phone. Her lips formed a frown; she’d arrived much later than she liked. Never the social butterfly, she always found it easier to duck out when you’re the first to arrive citing the whole I have to get up early excuse. A sigh escaped her lips as she placed her hand on the handle of the window paned door, finding the farewell gathering for her boss Nina Brookfield well underway. Her eyes scanned the room, surprised at the number of people who showed up. Nina wasn’t the most likable person. When she spoke, her tone was abrasive and condescending, and her management style was suffocating like a pillow over your head with no air to breathe.

  Ava searched the room for a familiar face. Half the people in attendance were not from her division. She’s sure news of the gathering spilled to other departments, and they were there for the free food and alcohol.

  She made her way through the sea of people, passing a crowd gathered around the karaoke machine as Bill from customer relations sung his best rendition of Purple Rain. Ava reached the bar, relieved to find someone she knew.

  “Has she arrived yet?” she asked, taking the one unoccupied bar stool beside her co-worker.

  “Not yet,” said Meghan. “When I ran into her in the elevator, she mentioned making a stop on her way.”

  “On her way? We’re right across the street.”

  Meghan sipped from her tropical cocktail. “From the crosswalk, I saw her heading towards the parking garage.”

  “Typical Nina to be late to her own event.” Ava ordered a double shot of tequila from the bartender.

  “Rough day?” Meghan eyed her shot glass.

  “That’s an understatement. The financing fell through on a multi-million-dollar loan. All that potential commission down the drain.”

  “Sorry,” she said with a sympathetic frown.

  “I think I’ll head out. If Nina can’t bother to appear…” Before Ava could finish her sentence a roar of applause and whistling erupted behind her. She turned around and her eyes immediately became fixated on the man by Nina’s side. “Who’s that?” she asked, leaning into Meghan’s ear.

  “Don’t know, but that’s definitely not her husband Dale.”

  Nina emerged through the crowd with a smile and mouthing silent thank yous, halting to a stop when she reached the bar. “Congratulations on your promotion,” said Ava, trying hard not to stare at the man beside her.

  “One that was long overdue! Anyhow, I would like to introduce my good friend Justin Harrington. He just arrived in town from San Diego.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Ava nodded and Meghan lifted her hand in a quick wave. “Are you here on business or is this a personal visit?”

  “Justin is a hotel developer,” said Nina, before he could reply. “He’s beginning his next venture right here in Atlanta.”

  Ava traded a glance with Justin but quickly darted her eyes away. “Well…” Ava’s hand gripped the strap of her handbag. “I wanted to stay long enough to tell you congratulations, but I have somewhere I need to be.”

  Nina looked off into the crowd not acknowledging a single word Ava had said. She grabbed Meghan’s arm and pulled her closer. “I want to introduce you to someone,” she said, leaving Ava and Justin alone with an awkward silence between them.

  “Would you like a drink?” he finally asked.

  “No, thank you. I’ve already met my drink quota with a double shot of tequila. I really have to get home.”

  “That means you’re already two drinks ahead, and I hate to drink alone. Do you mind keeping me company until I catch up with Nina?”

  “Sure, I can spare a few minutes.”

  Justin ordered a whiskey, and they
settled into a booth facing each other. As he savored his drink, she couldn’t help but admire his good looks. He appeared to stand 6’1, medium build, chestnut hair, and ice-blue eyes.

  “Are you and Nina friends or just co-workers?” he asked.

  “She’s my boss,” she said, with an unintentional eye roll.

  “What was that about?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “That look.” He grinned.

  “We don’t get along,” she blurted with immediate regret. She stroked her left brow, embarrassed from her outburst. “Please ignore what I said. It’s been one of those days.”

  He smiled before taking a sip of his whiskey. “Don’t worry, I won’t say a word.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How long have you worked with her?”

  “Um, I’ve been with Apex Financial for a year. I used to work for Manhattan Quest Bank, where I spent the bulk of my career.”

  He nodded like he was mulling her words over in his mind. “Apex is a much smaller institution compared to Quest Bank. They’re nationwide, and Apex is primarily on the East Coast.”

  “Not for long. That’s the reason for Nina’s transfer, to head up the commercial division in California.”

  “What about you? Any plans to follow?”

  “I’m fine right where I am.” She glanced at the time before placing her purse on her shoulder. Ava scooted over to exit the booth. “It was nice meeting you Justin, but I really need to get going.”

  “Boyfriend?” He asked with a lift in his brow.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Why not stay? I didn’t notice a ring, so I assume you’re rushing to get home to your boyfriend.”

  She frowned and eyed her surroundings. “This is not my scene. I only came to make an appearance and leave.”

  “Well, I hope to see you again before I return to San Diego.”

  She waved goodbye before disappearing into the crowd. Halfway to the door Ava turned around and found him watching her. She tried to contain her smile as she exited the bar.

  When Ava reached the crosswalk towards the parking garage, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned, and Meghan stood behind her with a straw from her plastic cup in between her smirked lips. “Leaving so soon?” she asked after finishing her sip.

  “I gave my congrats, now it’s time to leave.”

  “I saw you with Nina’s friend. What did you two talk about?”

  “Nothing much.” She shrugged.

  “He’s cute. Did you get his number?”

  “Meghan, stop. I know what you’re doing.”

  Lines formed between her furrowed brow. “What? All I’m doing is helping a friend. It’s been a while since your breakup with you-know-who. It’s time you put yourself out there and date again.”

  Ava pressed the button on the crosswalk. Her opportunity to cross had come and gone twice already. “Meghan, we just met and shared a basic conversation. Besides, I’m not interested in dating anyone close to Nina.”

  “She’s leaving. So, what’s your next excuse?”

  “I don’t have time to date.”

  “Next!”

  Ava chewed on her bottom lip and exhale sharply. “Fine! I’ll admit he’s attractive. Perfect teeth and all. But he’s only visiting. He mentioned something about returning to San Diego.”

  “Maybe you should give him a reason to stay.”

  ∞∞∞

  The following week Ava sat in her office buried deep in a mountain of paperwork. She loved the excitement her job as a senior commercial loan officer offered, but the administrative side could be tedious. She had just completed a file that needed scanning into the computer system when she heard Nina’s boisterous laugh from down the hall. Her transfer to the West Coast office should have happened days ago. Unfortunately, the transfer is on hold until the company hires a suitable replacement. The one potential candidate they had accepted an offer from a competing financial institution.

  Ava moved from behind her desk and peeked out into the hall. From her doorway, she saw Nina entering her office with Justin. She hasn’t seen him since the day of the party, and he has not escaped her mind for a single moment. Ava wouldn’t dare ask Nina about him, she only hoped she would see him again. Now that he was here, she had to get his attention. Her pulse quickened as her mind worked overtime to concoct an excuse to go into Nina’s office. Ava proceeded down the hall and knocked on the closed door.

  “Yes!” Nina shouted in her this better be important voice.

  Ava cleared her throat as she placed her hand on the doorknob. Turning it slowly, she positioned her head between the door and its frame. Her eyes darted in Justin’s direction; whose gaze was glued to his phone. “Yes, Ava what is it?” asked Nina.

  Justin’s eyes moved away from his phone and towards Ava. “I apologize for interrupting, but I wanted to discuss the Thomas & Bradshaw account with you if you have time.”

  She peered over her reading glasses. “That’s our problem child, right? They’re not providing the needed documentation.”

  “Correct.”

  “How much longer are you here?”

  “At least another two hours.”

  “After Justin and I conclude our meeting. Come find me, and we’ll sit down together.”

  Ava gave Justin a polite smile before she exited. She returned to her office, and fifteen minutes later a knock on her door disrupted her concentration on her spreadsheet. She moved her eyes upward and found Justin standing in her open doorway.

  “Hi,” she said. Happy he was there, but unsure why.

  “Do you have time for a coffee break?”

  “I do, but you don’t want that brown concoction in the break room. There’s a cafe in the lobby that’ll rival any well-known coffee chain.”

  “Sounds good.”

  She led him to the cafe, where she ordered an espresso and he requested a dark roast black coffee. They sat at one of the three black wrought iron tables on the outside patio. “I understand you’re building a hotel here in Atlanta,” she said, taking a sip of her beverage.

  “I am, but it’s on the outskirts of the city near Lake Azalea. As of now, I’m in the early development stage.”

  “So, how long is your stay?”

  “What should’ve been a two-week visit has now grown longer. I came to put the right people in place for the land preparations. Because of unforeseen problems, I have to extend my stay and search for temporary office space.”

  “Is our company providing financial backing for your project? I only ask because of your frequent visits to Nina’s office.” She noticed the sudden curl in his lip and thought of how that sounded. “At least that’s what I’ve been told,” she added. “I haven’t been in the office for the past few days.”

  “I know. Nina introduced me to her team the other day, and she mentioned you were working from home.”

  Ava stared as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. Her eyes trailed across his jawline framed by his perfectly groomed beard. It wasn’t too heavy, with just enough hair that allowed glimpse of his skin to peek through. “I’m not really working from home. I spend most of my time meeting with clients.”

  “Sounds fun,” he said, with a hint of sarcasm.

  “Hey, it keeps me away from the office politics,” she laughed. “You never answered my question. Are we financing your project?”

  Justin pushed his empty cup aside and sat back in his chair. “My visits with Nina is just two friends catching up, but every once in a while she’ll throw in a sales pitch. She and her husband Dale often take their boat out on the lake and they knew someone who had nearby property for sale. They convinced him to sell to me because they thought it would make the perfect location for a hotel. In turn, I purchased the land at an unbelievable deal. So, to answer your question Apex is not financially backing my project.”

  “You’re fortunate to work for yourself and do something you find enjoyable. Self-employment has been a long career-goal of m
ine.”

  “Surround yourself with positive like-minded people and it’ll happen. What about your boyfriend? Does he support you?”

  Ava smiled and shook her head. “That’s the second time you’ve mentioned a boyfriend. Is that your way of asking if I have one?”

  “Do you?”

  “No. We broke up months ago.”

  “His decision or yours?”

  “I rather not talk about it.” She finished the last of her espresso. “What about you? Is there a girlfriend waiting back home?”

  “My work is my partner. It keeps me just as busy as if I were in a relationship.”

  “Oddly, I understand what you mean. Sometimes it’s difficult to balance a career and a commitment to another person.”

  “Especially if you travel as much as I do. It can put a strain on a relationship.”

  “At least you can travel to new places and meet new friends for an impromptu coffee break.”

  They spent the next hour discussing their prospective jobs and getting to know one another. She and Justin said their goodbyes before she returned to her office.

  After speaking with Nina about their problem account, Ava decided to call it a day. She placed her laptop in sleep mode and closed her screen. Just as she locked her desk, Meghan entered. Meghan Dawson was the only co-worker she socialized with. In the year Ava has worked there, they have become good friends. Their relationship had evolved to a big sister and little sister status. Ava is thirty-years-old and six years older than Meghan. Ava often sought her advice, and Meghan is never afraid to tell her when she’s wrong.

  “So?” Meghan asked in a sing-song voice and smile on her face.

  “So, what?”

  “How was your break with Justin?” Her brown wavy ponytail bounced as she plopped down in the chair.

  “How did you know I was with him?”

  “I saw the two of you downstairs. So, answer the question.”

  “It was fine.” She felt her cheeks flush. “He’s easy to talk to.”

  “And not bad on the eyes. What about a girlfriend?”

  “No girlfriend and I’m not trying to be one, either. So, no matchmaking on your part.”