SECRETS AMONG US

  Granite Peak Security

  KARICE BOLTON

  Copyright © 2023 Karice Bolton

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any printed or electronic form, or stored in an unauthorized retrieval system, or transmitted in any form without permission from the author. Please respect the author’s hard work and only read through legitimate retail and library sources. Thank you so much for your cooperation. It allows the art of storytelling to flourish.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, incidents, and events either are the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Design by Didi Wahyudi

  Adobe Stock Exterior: Adobe Stock © sasamihajlovic

  Interior Formatting: BB Formatting Adobe Stock © SachiDesigns

  Chapter One

  Sadie

  “I would be lying if I didn’t tell you I’m going to miss you,” Melanie said, shaking her head.

  I pushed my lips into a forced smile and nodded. “I’m going to miss you like crazy, but it’s for the best. I need to go back home to my family in New Hampshire.”

  Melanie leaned against the counter of the coffee shop I’d called home for the last six months and sighed. She’d become one of my closest friends in Washington since I moved here. The moment I met her, it felt like I’d known her forever. There was just something so familiar about her, and it reminded me of back home.

  “I know. I get it. I still can’t believe you left everything you knew back east. That’s extremely brave, and I don’t have that in me.” She shivered. “Even moving here and buying this place were a big deal for me.”

  “You’ve done fabulously with everything, and you are a risk-taker. Buying this place from the previous owners was a big deal.”

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t take risks. It’s why I bought this coffee shop. I knew it was already successful. I’m more of a wash, rinse, repeat type of gal. Anything new makes me break out in hives.”

  “Should I get that on a T-shirt for you?” I asked, chuckling and pulling my dark blonde hair into a quick ponytail.

  The truth was that I wasn’t brave at all. I was the exact opposite of brave. I was running from a nightmare that seemed to follow me everywhere and destroy anything that created happiness.

  Zack Parker’s words floated through my mind, and I blinked the sadness away.

  I’ll protect you so that you can stop running.

  And then I remembered my reply.

  I can’t run away from my mind, Zack. And that’s my problem and shouldn’t be yours.

  Breaking up with him was for the best. We shared a traumatic history, and it wasn’t healthy.

  It just wasn’t.

  My throat clenched at my last thought, and I sipped the very last pumpkin spice latte I’d made for myself at Granite Beans.

  I didn’t need to become another cliché. I already felt out of my element with everything that had happened to me, and falling in love with my rescuer wasn’t a good idea.

  Even if it had already happened.

  The truth was that I loved it out here in Washington. Being nestled in a mountain town where tourists only visited on the weekends left the weekdays for the locals to do a lot of quiet contemplating, and that was what I’d needed… until recently.

  Now, it felt like my thoughts were suffocating me, and all eyes were on me. I’d be at the grocery store and get a creeping sensation up my spine. I’d go to pick up a hamburger at the local hangout and feel like someone was lurking in a booth, watching me. It had started the week before I’d ended things with my boyfriend.

  Of course, I'd see nothing whenever I turned around to check things out.

  Nothing.

  My eyes met Melanie’s. “Well, you can come visit anytime. But I’d probably wait until after I’m out of my parents’ house, or it will feel like a slumber party from your teens.” I shook my head. “That is the one thing that’s hard to swallow. I’m headed into my thirties and moving back in with Mom and Dad.”

  “Oh, please. They’re going to love having you.” She grinned and shook her head, letting her red hair cascade past her shoulders. “You promise you’ll let me haunt you in New England when you’re all settled?”

  “Promise.” I nodded, thinking about the encroaching fall weather. I’d always loved this time of year when leaves were changing and a crispness nipped at my nose.

  So much had happened to me in the last six months that it was hard to focus on what I wanted, but I knew there was nothing left for me out here but heartache.

  I’d made a decision, and I needed to stick with it.

  At least back in New Hampshire, I could wallow around a little about my breakup and have my sister and parents pick me back up.

  “What did Zack say about the move?” she asked, knowing enough about our relationship to not be worrisome but enough to ask the hard questions.

  That was why it was nice to have coworkers as friends. I could feel social but keep everyone at a distance.

  In fact, she knew very little about my past at all. I'd tried to keep it that way but still felt close to Melanie.

  “I haven’t told him yet. I might not.” I shrugged. “At least until I move.”

  Her brows rose, and she made a clicking sound with her tongue. “I see. So basically, you’ll make me do the hard part when he comes in one morning for his large Americano and asks where you’re at?”

  I giggled and eyed her over the rim of my cup. “Maybe.”

  “Will you do one thing for me?” she asked softly, walking over to me. “Let me hug you?”

  I groaned but stopped myself from recoiling. I’d been working on it with my online therapist for months. But with everything I’d gone through, it was safe to say that I was no longer a hugger.

  “Sure,” I said through gritted teeth as she dove in for a squeeze, utterly oblivious that I was as stiff as a board, but that was why I adored Melanie.

  She had a quirky oblivion that I craved for my sanity, but instead, I was left with a mind that wouldn’t turn off.

  “See? It’s not so bad,” she mumbled as she hugged me harder.

  Her arms felt like a strap tightening that I couldn’t break free from. I clenched my eyes shut and took a deep breath, slowly exhaling as she stepped back.

  Melanie studied me and quickly dropped her arms to her sides. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know…”

  I chuckled, trying to make it less awkward, but it wasn’t working. “It’s not you. It’s me. Totally me.”

  Her brow quirked. “Usually, it’s some guy with a beard who’s telling me that.”

  I snickered. “I’m going to miss you, Mel. You always know the perfect thing to say.”

  “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to make you stay? Like promise to clean your apartment for a year or give you free coffee?”

  “You already give me free coffee.” I winked at her. “But, no. I need to go back home. It’s too hard to be in this town when Zack’s here, and I know I can’t make things work with him, and I need family right now.”

  She let out a deep breath. “I know, and I fully support you. I just don’t know how Zack is going to take it. He hasn’t been the same when he comes in for his usual.”

  Hearing that tugged at my heart.

  “He’ll be fine. He’s strong and stable, a total catch. He’ll find someone soon, and the quicker I’m out of his hair, the better.” It was as if I lied to myself enough times, it would come true.

  A faint smile touched her lips. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell him?”

  I shook my head, but her eyes filled with surprise as her gaze darted over my shoulders.

  And then I heard the sound.

  The one voice that could ignite every part of my body was right behind me.

  “Tell me what?” The gruffness of his tone made my heart break a little more.

  He was supposed to be in Alaska this week.

  This entire week.

  That was one of the many reasons I chose to go back home. He was rarely here anyway.

  Melanie’s eyes widened while she grabbed an empty cup, filled it with coffee, and handed it to Zack.

  “I’ll be in the back organizing syrups or napkins or rubber bands.” She pressed her lips together, looked at the both of us, and spun around.

  I closed my eyes before facing him and tried to get my bearings.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be in Alaska?” My arms folded over my chest, and I spun around, blinking my eyes open to see the one and only man I’d ever fallen in love with.

  Zack’s gaze connected with mine, and an impossible charge of longing drifted through me. “What aren’t you planning on telling me, Sadie?”

  He stepped forward, put his coffee on the counter, and propped an elbow on the large piece of granite as he watched me. I felt the instant pull I always had from the moment his arms slid around me and he scooped me into him, carrying me to safety so many months ago.

  This was the problem with Zack.

  He could read my mind like nobody else.

  The man knew when I was hurting.

  Zack knew when I wanted to run.

  When I was scared.

  When I was having night

mares.

  He knew me better than myself.

  But every single time I looked at him, my mind flashed to the day he saved my life.

  The day I thought was my last.

  I bit my lip and pushed myself away from the counter, grabbing my empty mug as I walked to the coffee machine to pour a cup of coffee.

  “Sadie, what’s going on?” The urgency in his voice was like a million little stabs to my heart. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  I took a sip of the coffee, willing myself not to cry.

  “It’s just that…” I took a deep breath and set my coffee down, but no words would come.

  His eyes caught mine. “It’s just that…?” His voice softened, opening the door to my confession.

  “I’m going back home.”

  His entire body stiffened, and panic set in his gaze as he shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”

  I scowled and picked up my cup again.

  I rarely liked being told what was and wasn’t a good idea. That was how I wound up in Washington in the first place. My family was ultimately against the idea. Well, most of my family. My sister fully supported me, and it seemed like a good idea at the time.

  “It’s the best idea I’ve got, Zack. It’s unhealthy for me to wander around a small town like this with an ex I could bump into at any second.”

  “I’m rarely here,” he argued.

  “Duly noted,” I muttered under my breath.

  “That’s not fair.” He shook his head, sliding his fingers through the dark strands.

  It was always these little things he did that drove me insane for him. The way his dark, wavy hair curled around his fingers or the small dimple that would surface on his left cheek when he smirked, but not when he smiled. Or the intensity in his hazel eyes that turned me into a zombie as I watched the clarity behind his gaze grow.

  “You know what I do for a living.” He shook his head.

  I nodded, not wanting to start a fight over this. I wanted to leave on a good note, a happy note.

  “I do, and I didn’t mean anything by it. We both know that being together isn’t good for either of us. My therapist told me that—”

  He recoiled. “Maybe your therapist is wrong.”

  The thought had occurred to me.

  Would making the right choice hurt this much?

  “I’m going back home, Zack. I need family. I need to be surrounded by love.”

  “And my love isn’t good enough?” He cocked his chin slightly.

  “We aren’t together. It’s not the same.”

  He scratched the dark stubble on his chin and shook his head. “So, you were going to pack up and leave without me knowing?”

  “That was the hope.” I attempted a feeble smile. “I knew this would hurt too much.”

  “Then maybe it’s the wrong choice.” His eyes never wavered from mine.

  “You were supposed to be in Alaska this week.”

  His jaw clenched as he tapped the counter with his knuckle, never taking his gaze away from me.

  “I had my brother fly up to finish the job.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I don’t want to lose you.”

  Chapter Two

  Zack

  It was true. I didn’t want to lose her. And now, the thought of Sadie being across the country made me sick to my stomach. She’d been through so much and was the strongest woman I’d ever met.

  I loved her more than I knew possible.

  I wanted to make this work.

  But the reason I came back wasn’t to beg her to get back with me. I didn’t do that. If what we shared wasn’t enough for her, I certainly wouldn’t beg for it. I fought for our love, but I’d be damned if I would beg for it.

  I returned because I found out the woman who’d kidnapped Sadie was out of jail on a technicality.

  “Zack, you know it’s over between us,” she said softly, her expression falling.

  Her throat constricted while she pushed down a hard swallow, which told me she still cared, regardless of her actions.

  She didn’t want this to be over, either.

  But none of that counted.

  All that mattered was that Sadie remained safe and unharmed.

  Sadie walked over to a small table and sat in a chair, kicking one out in front of her as an invite.

  Her striking green eyes took me in as I walked over to take a seat.

  “Sadie, I’m going to say this one time.” I tilted my head slightly and looked at her. “Your therapist is full of shit, and I love you more than you could understand. Even though I'm afraid I have to disagree, I also respect your decision to end things with me.”

  She nodded in silence, but I noticed a flicker of doubt in her eyes.

  Sadie cleared her throat and glanced at the clock on the wall, surrounded by two carved grizzly bears and a pine tree motif. This coffee shop usually felt like home, but now it felt like an empty shell of a place I no longer wanted to be, especially if Sadie had no plans to stay.

  I cupped my hands and slid them onto the table, wringing them with each passing second. “Sadie, did you hear from the prosecutor this morning?”

  I knew the best way to be with Sadie was direct.

  Her gaze widened, and she quickly shook her head. “No. Why would I? Did they move up the trial date?”

  My heart hammered in my chest as I saw confusion in her eyes.

  She didn’t know.

  “I didn’t think I had to go to court until spring at the earliest,” she muttered, lifting her gaze.

  “It’s not that, Sadie. Carmella got out on a technicality.”

  All the color drained from Sadie’s face, and her hands instantly trembled. I shot out of the chair and kneeled before her as she brought her palms over her face.

  “No.” She shook her head. “No. That’s not possible. The prosecutor said he had a solid case.”

  “He does. He still does, but…” I softly placed my fingers under her chin and tipped her head toward me. I needed her to stay with me, not go back to the place that always pulled her away.

  “But what?” Anger flashed through her gaze.

  “The police made a mistake that day, and her attorneys caught it.” I shook my head. “But the prosecutor is certain he can have Carmella picked up again in a few weeks. It’ll be on a lesser charge, but she’s still looking at ten years.”

  “Ten years?” She stiffened. “Ten years? I’ll only have peace for ten years?”

  I felt the same.

  She stood from the chair quickly, and it fell to the floor with a crash as I jumped out of her way.

  “I don’t understand. Why didn’t I get a call?” She dashed to the back of the counter and pulled out her purse, quickly digging through it until she found her phone.

  Her expression fell when she looked at the screen. “He must have left a message. I didn’t hear it ring. It was during our busy time.” Sadie sniffled, and I looked at the floor, wishing I had words to make it all disappear.

  “You don’t have to do this alone, Sadie.” I moved toward her, and she held up her hand.

  Sadie’s eyes flashed to mine. “I’m more alone than you’ll ever understand.”

  “I can protect you,” I said softly, watching her emotions take hold. “I’m here for you.”

  Her hands shook as she bent over and leaned against the counter, taking a deep breath.

  “But I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to return to New England.”

  She wiped a stray tear, and I wanted to jump over the counter and bring her into my arms, but she’d made it clear that we were over.

  “I’m so tired of being scared, Zack. I’m just… exhausted.” Her lip quivered, and it felt like a stab to the gut as a sob fell from her mouth.

  Without thinking, I scaled the counter and pulled her into my arms. I felt her body relax as her head rested on my chest. She sniffled, and dampness spread on my shirt as I ran my hands along her dark blonde hair.

  My mouth pressed onto the top of her head. The familiar scents of coconut and lime drifted over me. Sadie’s favorite body wash. It was even the little things I missed. I took another breath, but I knew to respect her wishes. “Let me help, Sadie. Let me be a part of this. I’ll respect whatever boundaries you give me, but I must keep you safe.”

 

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