Shattered Lives (The Shattered Series Book 1) Read online

  Tim continued to sulk and pondered on the mess he had created until he realized time was almost up. He could no longer stall he had to go pick up the person who currently had him by the balls. He showered, dressed, and jumped into his seven series BMW to begin a nightmare of an evening.

  A life of wealth and privilege shaped him into the man he is today. A man who's accustomed to having anything he wanted. Whether that was money, women, or opportunities. Growing up, Tim attended the best schools, but his grades were never up to par. None of that matter if you're a Lansing. His parents made sure they generously donated money to any school their children attended. If one of the Lansing’s grades were C average or below, they were magically raised to an A. Once he graduated college, corporate doors were opened wide, every corporation fought feverishly to get him to join their ranks. Women loved his six-foot muscular frame and model good looks. They always did whatever he wanted just to be seen with him. To have a woman like Ramona in control is beyond his comprehension. Definitely not something he was accustomed to.

  Tim made sure he locked all doors as he neared Ramona’s neighborhood. He followed the GPS directions that told him he reached his destination at a run-down apartment building he couldn't believe anyone lived in. There were teens hanging out in the parking lot playing basketball ball with a makeshift goal while young mothers sat with babies on their laps watching them. Tim drove around as he searched for building C, he eventually found it behind the rental office. He parked in the only spot available which was next to a dumpster. Feeling too uncomfortable to get out he sent Ramona a text to let her know he was waiting outside. Five minutes later she came out wearing a red dress that hugged her body in all the right places. The light breeze outside caused her hair to blow in the wind and she wore the same seductive smile she had when they first met. In a slight moment of weakness, Tim thought about taking her inside for a quickie, but he snapped back into reality when she entered his car.

  “Let’s be clear, I have one objective and that’s Tami. I need to find a way in. I thought I could use you, but it’s obvious that you’re no closer to her than I am. So, that leaves Dan as a possibility,” she said.

  “Do you ever stop?” asked Tim. “Do you ever take a break from the schemes and blackmail?”

  “No. I’m doing what’s necessary. This is all about payback.”

  “Payback for what?”

  “You ask too many questions. All you need to do is go along with my plan and your secrets are safe with me.”

  Tim didn't want to know anything about her stupid plan. He wanted to drive the rest of the way in silence and contemplate any possible way to get out of this mess. Trusting her to keep his secrets safe was laughable. The moment she believed he wasn’t cooperating she’ll release everything. He had to get the video from her, but that would not be an easy task. He needed assistance to neutralize her.

  “Do you like my dress?” she asked breaking the silence.

  “It's nice,” said Tim, avoiding looking in her direction. He kept his eyes on the road ahead.

  “It's hers.”

  “What's hers? Who are we talking about?”

  “Tami.” She shrugged. “It’s her dress.”

  Tim looked at her, narrowing his eyes. “What do you mean it’s her dress?”

  “I took it from her closet.”

  “You what?! You’ve been in her house! How?” Tim clenched his jaw as he felt the blood rush to his head. The immeasurable rage blinded him that he almost slammed into the car in front of him.

  “Keep your eyes on the road!” screamed Ramona, as she held on to the door handle. Tim quickly maneuvered to the right lane barely missing the car in front of him. He turned into a strip mall parking lot.

  “What are you doing? We'll be late!”

  Tim put the car in park and tried to keep his cool. He wished that he could abandon her and never deal with her again, “You tell me right now how did you really get this dress?” he asked.

  “I already told you, I got it from Tami’s closet. But don't worry, she has a closet full of clothes I doubt if she’ll notice it's gone.”

  It was at that very moment, Tim realized that he was dealing with an unbalanced sociopath. Then it hit him, she was responsible for the break-in at Tami's a few weeks ago. He had heard about it from Dan.

  “That was you? You broke into Tami's house!” exclaimed Tim.

  “Yep, that was me,” she said proudly.

  “Blackmail is one thing, but breaking into someone's home that is something else altogether. This has gone too far. I won’t be a part of this.”

  “You're already a part of this, Tim!”

  “Have you thought about the fact you’re on the video, too?” he asked.

  “Maybe I need to show it to you again. If you were paying attention, you would’ve noticed that my face is obscure, no one will know that it’s me.”

  Tim put the car in drive and continued to Tami's. He was tired of hearing her voice. It was like a broken record with all the threats and innuendos. They rode the rest of the way in an awkward silence.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “Wow, you look beautiful, babe,” complimented Josh, as he planted a kiss on Tami’s cheek. “Thank you, honey. What's that you're holding behind your back?” she asked, noticing the square-shaped box in his hand.

  “I bought you a little something last week. Nothing big, it's just a gift to remind you how much I love you and my commitment to our marriage.”

  “You didn't have to do that,” said Tami as she applied the finishing touches to her makeup.

  “I want you to close your eyes.”

  “Close my eyes? Josh, I have to finish getting dressed.”

  “C'mon, humor me.”

  Tami did as her husband requested. She kept her body facing the mirror that’s attached to her vanity table. She could hear Josh fiddling around with the box. Next, she felt the weight of a necklace being placed around her neck. She kept her eyes shut while she touched it and imagined what it looked like in her mind. As Josh tried for the third time to close the clasp, it became harder to contain her excitement. Tami was on the verge of taking a small peek when he told her to open her eyes. What she imagined was nowhere close to the image staring back at her. “Oh my God! Josh, this is beautiful! Exquisite may be a better word for it,” exclaimed Tami.

  “It's an infinity necklace. It’s ten karats with one hundred-fifteen diamonds. I designed it myself with the help of our jeweler. I want you to wear it tonight, it’ll look beautiful with your dress,” he suggested.

  “I think the necklace may be a bit much for tonight.” The design of the necklace was a platinum gold diamond tennis necklace with a center infinity symbol. She admired the way each stone sparkled under the light and glistened against her skin in the mirror. Tami glanced upward and noticed that Josh was staring at her with a faraway look in his eyes. It made her wonder what he was thinking. It’s been a while since she’s caught him staring at her, in that way. Once when she had noticed him watching her, she asked him what was on his mind. He’d told her he loved the way she chose not to cover her face with layers of makeup because her natural beauty shouldn’t be hidden. He’d continued by saying he loved every inch of her from her long flowing hair, the three freckles on her nose, down to her well-manicured toes. Hearing those words had caused butterflies in her stomach. That was years ago. For the first time in ages, she saw that same look in her husband’s eyes.

  Tami viewed her gift in the mirror. It would complement the black dress she had planned to wear. It’s just too extravagant for a small dinner party. She reached behind her neck to undo the clasp.

  “Keep it on. I want to see you in it,” said Josh, as he stroked her bare shoulders.

  With a smile, she stood to give her husband a thank you hug. He embraced her in his arms. With her body pressed against his, it transported her to a time in her marriage where one touch from him would send a tremor down her spine. A time when she felt loved and appreciate
d by him. The memories caused tears to well up in her eyes. She held Josh tighter, causing him to pull back a little. He looked her in the eyes and wiped the falling tear from her face. He then leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. Tami returned his kiss and didn’t object when Josh slid his hand down her back and unzipped her dress. “Are you sure we have time?” she whispered between kisses.

  “We’ll make time.” Josh planted soft kisses on her neck as her dress fell to the floor. She led her husband to their bed where they passionately explored each other's bodies, creating their own heat in the crisp air that filled the room. She missed the closeness between them. Lately, she felt like she was only going through the motions to please him. Tonight was different. This time it was about the two of them and not creating a baby. They continued to enjoy each other and the feeling of their bodies intertwined as one. Tami let out a soft moan as they collapsed into each other's arm. Both remained quiet as they held on to the amazing feeling they shared. After a few moments of cuddling, Tami slipped out of the bed and quietly put on her dress. Her mind raced with many thoughts on what just happened. “Tami is something wrong, you're quiet?” asked Josh. He must’ve noticed the look she gets when something weighs on her mind.

  “I’m happy. I’m happy because this was the first time in a while we were intimate with no pretense.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean lately, it's been all about making a baby so it becomes a routine. But this time it was about you and I loving each other,” she replied, wiping the tears from her eyes. “You’ve been wonderful tonight. Secretly I’ve wondered if we would make it as a couple but now I feel a glimmer of hope.”

  “You shouldn’t have those thoughts in your head. I’m just as committed to our marriage now, as much as the day we exchanged vows,” said Josh.

  A knock on their bedroom door interrupted them.

  “Tami — Josh I don't mean to interrupt. Some of your guests have arrived,” Carol said through the locked bedroom door. “Thanks, mom, I’ll be out in five minutes.” Tami fixed her makeup and made sure her hair was still in place.

  She entered the living room and there stood Alexis, Dan, and Julia. They all complimented her on her dress and the necklace Josh had given her did not go unnoticed. While Julia and Alexis continued to awe over her choice of jewelry, Tami kept her eyes on the stairs waiting for Josh to make an appearance. He made his way down as Carla approached her to verify if she should serve at eight although everyone had not arrived. Tami advised her to keep everything as planned and to remove the place settings if they haven’t arrived by serving time. Josh walked over and kissed her on the cheek, she smiled and introduced him to Dan and Julia.

  “Dan, it’s great to meet you. Tami speaks highly of you,” said Josh, shaking his hand.

  “I can’t believe all the years I’ve known her, this is our first time meeting. You’re not much of a social guy, are you?”

  “Not much, I have a small circle of friends I golf with but I’m not into big gatherings.”

  Tami realized she had not seen or spoken with her mother since she knocked on the door. She went up to her room to check on her. She knocked on the door twice... no answer. She slowly opened the door and found her mother knelt down on her knees beside the bed praying. Not wanting to disturb her, she tried to close the door but the laughter from downstairs seemingly startled her.

  “I'm sorry,” said Tami, feeling a little awkward and the need to apologize.

  Carol stood to her feet. “That's okay. Did you need something?” she asked.

  “No, I wanted to check on you. Are you joining us tonight?”

  Her mother straightened the white bed comforter. “I was, but I changed my mind.” Tami noticed a slight tremor in her hands each time she placed it on the bed to smooth out the fabric. “I was feeling somewhat anxious earlier, so I took my medication to help.”

  Tami walked towards her mother. She reached for her hand and placed in hers. “When did this start?”

  “I think it’s the side effect from my new meds. It’ll pass.” Tami hugged her mother. It was her way of letting her know she’ll always be there. As they pulled away from each other, Carol noticed the sparkling diamonds around her daughter's neck. Tami already knew what she was thinking. “Isn't it beautiful? Josh just gave it to me.”

  “It’s stunning. Does this mean things are better between you two?”

  “I believe so. He said he’ll no longer pressure me about a baby.”

  “That's a start, right?”

  Tami shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “Stop punishing yourself. I understand why you might not be in a rush to become pregnant. But, you need to understand what you’ve done in the past do not define who you are today. You must heal your wounds to move forward.”

  Tami appreciated her mother’s words of wisdom but not right before her dinner party. She’s become tired of people telling her what to do or how she should feel. “First Alexis and now you, why can’t y’all understand I don’t want to talk about my wounds. I don’t want to have a baby and I’m not punishing myself!”

  Carol placed each of her hands on Tami’s shoulders. “Yes, you are. I think if you talk to your husband…”

  “My guests are waiting. Come down if you feel better.” Tami rushed downstairs escaping further discussion with her mother.

  From the top of the stairs, she saw Nick and Lauren speaking with Josh near the bottom step. She promised Josh she would be on her best behavior towards Nick and there was no time like the present to prove to him she could be a good sport.

  “Hello guys, I’m happy you both could make it,” smiled Tami, as she gave Lauren a hug. “Your dress is gorgeous,” she continued, admiring Lauren’s knee length, champagne colored silk dress.

  “Thank you, Nick picked it out. He says the color compliments my eyes,” she replied.

  “Good job, Nick. I didn’t realize you had such great taste in women’s fashion,” snarked Tami. Josh shot her disapproving look. He suggested to Nick that they should give their wives a chance to catch up and they walked away. Tami immediately apologized to Lauren. “I’m sorry but you know your husband and I don’t mix well.”

  “And why is that?” she asked, sounding borderline offended.

  The question surprised Tami. She didn’t want to tell her she thought her husband was a conniving, cheating, man-whore. “I...well Nick is....”

  “I’m only messing with you,” laughed Lauren, “My husband can be an egotistical jerk, a know-it-all, and at times self-absorbed.”

  Was she finally about to confirm the rumors about her husband? To hear her speak about Nick in such a manner surprised Tami. She’s never uttered a negative word about him or their marriage.

  “Anyway, enough about our men. Thank you for the one-thousand-dollar donation you dropped off at my office the other day,” continued Lauren.

  “You’re welcomed. But, you don’t have to thank me. I’ll always support you and your organization.”

  “I appreciate it and you know it will go to a good use.”

  Tami glanced at the time on her diamond bangle watch. It was time to sit for dinner. Everyone had arrived but Tim. After waiting for an additional fifteen minutes, she assumed he would not show. The guests all gathered around the table decorated with an elegant floral centerpiece and candles. Everyone enjoyed a meal of a crusted rack of lamb, turnip puree, and steamed asparagus. As they ate, everyone conversed with one another. Tim told embarrassing work stories about his early years in the industry. Tami and Julia slowly steered the conversation to their favorite topic of fashion. Soon the men had become bored and offer to switch seats so they could discuss sports. By the end of dinner, no one was in a rush to eat dessert. Tami was about to have Carla hold off on the next course when she heard the doorbell. She answered the door. There stood Tim and a woman that look similar to his date at the Halloween party. She couldn’t be certain, his date’s eyes were concealed with a mask. Tami gave Tim a quick once
- over, thinking to herself that he was rather handsome. At the Halloween party, his female guest distracted her and she didn’t notice his chiseled jawline, dark piercing eyes, or his salt and pepper hair that was impeccably combed. Not a strand out of place.

  “Come in, Tim, I didn't think you would make it,” she said opening the door wider.

  “Sorry for our tardiness. An accident backed up traffic for miles. I should have called,” he said. “Where are my manners? This is Ramona, you met her at Dan’s.”

  “I remember. I’m glad you both could make it. We’ve already served dinner, but you made it in time for dessert. Come in and join the party.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Ramona and Tim followed Tami into the dining room where everyone was in deep chatter. That was until they entered the room. A hush came over the room as everyone halted their conversation to turn and stared at the couple. Ramona’s eyes were straight on Dan. He’s the one she had to cozy up to, but he was too busy looking confusingly at Tim. She glanced towards Tim and he had a pained uncomfortable look on his face. Dan immediately stood to shake Tim's hand. “I'm glad you made it. I was wondering if you were coming at all.”