Deadly Disguise Chapter 1

Pre-Order Here Chapter 1Elora

Elora got out of her car, leaned down to check her lipstick in the mirror, and swiped on another coat. She wanted to make sure it wasn’t obvious she had been kissing someone and hoped that she’d make it up to her room before running into anyone with a bunch of questions.

She had so much on her mind. First and foremost, the agonizing decision to leave Aiden hanging. She had needed his company, but taking it too far would be a mistake if her heart wasn’t in the right place. Both were in their messed-up headspace, and the last thing she needed was more chaos in her life.

As she walked to the door, Gavin nearly ran her down, coming out with a large bag on his shoulder. “Oh, there you are,” he said, shifting the overnight bag to his other one. “I didn’t think you’d be home in time to wish me a farewell. But I’m glad you’re here.”

“Where are you going?” she asked, looking confused. He was packed up to go on a trip. “You’re leaving now?”

Gavin nodded. “Duty calls. I have to go out of town for work.” He looked energized and ready to go. “No rest for the wicked.”

“Out of town? Where?” She was curious where business was for him, and what it concerned. She had a feeling she already knew.

“Oh, nothing major. I’m not even leaving the country, so no worries. And I’ll be back tomorrow, so maybe you’ll miss me and maybe you won’t.”

Elora didn’t bother to press him on the location, but she noticed that he had avoided giving her a straight answer.

Sometimes she thought it was best not to know too much, and other times she wanted to know everything. Either way, he was leaving, and that would give her more time to figure out what to do about Aiden.

Aiden who had shown up out of the blue. Aiden who was not supposed to be in Calter.

It was hard enough to go through with things knowing that Oscar was in the hospital and didn’t really ghost her the way she believed. When it came to Aiden, she felt she couldn’t take things to the next level until she worked things out with Oscar and figured out what to do about him. What if he still wanted her as much as she wanted him?

Gavin took out his keys. “Are you feeling alright?” he asked. “You still look pale, Elora. I was serious when I said I could have my mother’s physician come and check your iron levels. You can’t ignore your health. As a matter of fact, I insist you see someone. I’ll make the call and have him come out.”

“No, Gavin, don’t do that. I’m fine, really.” The problems plaguing her weren’t anything a doctor could cure, and there was no way she’d trust their family doctor. The man would tell them anything they discussed, doctor-patient privilege be damned. “You don’t have to do that.”

“And I said I insist. Now, don’t argue with me. I always win. Besides, I’ll feel a lot better if you have a checkup. You never know. It might just save your life.”

“I think you’re overreacting. I’m fine.” She didn’t want to see Gwendolyn’s doctor or any doctor for that matter. “Please don’t. I’ll call my doctor back home and see if he can recommend some supplements.”

He gave her a sideward glance. “Suit yourself. But if you don’t get better, I’m calling him. We can’t afford to have germs getting everyone here sick.”

“Okay, I promise I’ll let you know if I need medical intervention.” She had no intention of following through but she would say anything to get him to back off.

“Excellent. I’ll see you tomorrow. Be a good girl.” He walked out to his car and tossed his bag in the back seat.

Elora watched him as he got in and waved at her. He stopped before he closed the door. “Oh, you may want to find my mother.”

“Is everything okay?” she asked, hoping that Gwendolyn wasn’t angry she had stepped out.

“Yeah. She was asking about you. I told her you went shopping.” He gave a slight shrug and reached for his sunglasses.

“Oh,” she said. “You could have told her about Oscar.”

He put the glasses on. “I figured I’d let you do that. Take care.” He shut his car door and started the engine with a roar.

Elora went into the house and straight up the stairs. She wanted a minute to herself before she saw anyone else. This damn place was like a hotel lobby, it had so many people coming and going.

She still couldn’t get Ronnie out of her mind. He had attacked her for no reason, but a part of her felt he had a point. Maybe it was her fault Oscar was in that coma.

As she went up to her room, she thought about the entire situation. She would have never gotten involved with Aiden had she known that Oscar hadn’t just stopped talking to her cold. He’d been attacked and was laid up in the hospital, hanging on by a thread.

Would Oscar be better off without her?

There was no guarantee that Oscar would be the same after what happened. Even the doctors and nurses said there was a possibility that his brain could have damage that would cause him to need physical therapy to learn to speak and walk again. The people who had attacked him had beaten him so badly, he might never be the same man he was before.

And while she wanted to be there for him, what could she do? If he woke up, could she be helpful or would she get in the way? And then there was the risk of him not remembering her.

She wasn’t sure she could handle that. To think that he could forget everything that happened between them seemed unreal. And unfair. Life just kept taking things from her and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

As odd as it seemed, there was no telling what would be until he woke up. Still, Elora felt like she owed him. He had saved her life and had been her best friend for months after. He was the last man she was intimate with. And she knew in her heart that she had deep feelings for him. It was why it had hurt so much when he never responded to her attempts at contact.

Those feelings were keeping her from acting with Aiden. As much as she fell for him, as much as she had wanted him, it wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. And she didn’t want to cheat herself out of something wonderful if it still existed with Oscar.

It was a messed-up situation she never expected to find herself in. But there she was, having feelings for two men. And only her feelings for one had begun to fade.

She didn’t want Oscar to wake up hoping she was there, only to find out that she had moved on with another man. Could she do that to him?

No. She knew she couldn’t. She didn’t have it in her.

Yet, there was Aiden, who wanted to be affectionate and take things to the next level. And there was a time she was bitter toward Oscar and wanted Aiden more than anything or anyone. Timing had been bad with them from the start, but maybe that was for a reason.

And then there was Gavin. She didn’t even want to think about what he had in mind. Not that she cared. She already knew that he wasn’t a good man. And as soon as she could find out what was really going on and save Hallie, she was out of there.

Her phone pinged in her pocket. She took it out and noticed it was Gwendolyn asking where she was.

Elora sighed. “I guess I can’t put her off.” She went to the bathroom to freshen up and texted Gwendolyn that she was on her way down. Maybe she would tell her what Gavin was up to.

She pulled her hair up and headed downstairs to find the fashion matriarch of the Dutch design empire.

Gwendolyn was sitting in her private living room, looking at swatches. She had been hung up on the summer fabrics for some time. She looked up at Elora and smiled. “There you are. Thank goodness you’re here. I’m in desperate need of fresh eyes.”

“Gavin told me that you wanted to see me.”

“Yes, I was hoping you’d given these more thought?” She flapped the swatches of fabric like a fan. “I’m going out of my mind over it. And we’re already out of time.”

Elora figured that she wasn’t really going out of her mind about the swatches. Something told her that it had more to do with Hallie showing up looking like a beaten dog than anything else. But she knew that Gwendolyn wouldn’t tell her about it.

As soon as she could get with Tad about the missing person’s database, she would have a better idea of just how deep it went. And she had a feeling Gavin was truly in over his head. Perhaps his mother was too.

Elora walked over and took the swatches. “I think the problem is the colors. I think there are too many. And I say you cut the patterns by three. Keep it simple. You’ll work best with this one gone, for sure.” She pulled the bold print out. “It reminds me of my grandmother’s couch.”

“Oh,” said Gwendolyn, raising her eyebrows. “I thought that looked a little bold.”

“I think you’re good to go with these.” She handed her half of the swatches back. “Those are safe. Now, these?” She shrugged.

“Thanks, Elora. You made that easy. But now, what do I do? I’m down by half and need three more to finish the line.”

Elora used it as an opportunity to bring up Gavin. “Why don’t you see if Gavin can go to the textile factory and pick a few more up for you? I’m sure you could call ahead and have something ready.”

“Gavin is busy with something else,” she said, waving her hand as if she didn’t want to discuss him.

“Well, it can’t be too much. He said he would be back tomorrow. And you know he won’t mind. Not if it helps you out.”

Gwendolyn didn’t look happy at the mention of her son. “No, he’s entirely too busy.” She shook her head. “I may have Hunter take me. It’s been a while since I went down. I always send someone in my place. But I think this time, I will go.”

“I think you should design your own pattern,” said Elora. “Something about half the size print as the bold one we pulled. Or you could ask them if they can cut that one down? I’m sure they can. They may already have one that suits the rest.”

“You know,” she said. “That’s not a bad idea. But do you think anyone really wants to wear your grandmother’s couch?” She gave Elora a skeptical look.

Elora smiled and shrugged it off. “Change the colors. Play with it.” Elora wished the woman would be more open in her creativity. “You have the talent. You don’t need me.” But she hoped she would keep her around all the same.

Gwendolyn sighed. “You have no idea what a lifesaver you are, Elora. I used to be so good at throwing out ideas. I seem to have far too much on my mind lately to keep those creative juices flowing. It’s like it’s gumming up the works.”

“Maybe you and Hunter should get away for a while.”

“I don’t know. It will hinge on Gavin’s trip, but we might. I’ll definitely get out to the factory. I love looking at fabrics. It makes my day.”

“Well, I’m glad to help.” She wondered sometimes what Gwendolyn’s part was in it all.

“I’m glad you came back, Elora.” There was a desperation in her tone. “You’re like the daughter I never had.” She gave a tense smile and looked back at the swatches as if there was so much more she needed to say.

Elora took the opportunity to mention Enzo. “Well, according to your son, we’re cousins.”

“Cousins?” she asked, giving Elora a sideward look. “You and me? Or you and him?”

“I guess all of us. But that’s what he told Enzo and Paul.” She still couldn’t believe Gavin had thought that fast on his feet or why it would matter to them who she was related to.

“He did?” she asked, giving a nod. “Ah, I see. Well, that’s what we should tell everyone. Cousin Elora. I like the sound of that.” She gave a nervous giggle. “I never really had any cousins. One or two who were older, maybe.” She shrugged.

“On your mother’s side.” Elora chuckled, but she could see the uneasy look in Gwendolyn’s eyes, having brought them up. “Anyway, I thought it was funny. Those two give me the creeps.”

“Yes,” said Gwendolyn. “That they do indeed.” She got a faraway look in her eyes and wiped at her eyes. “You know who you remind me of?”

“Who?” Elora asked.

“Marlowe. I miss her so much. I know I’ve told you I like having you here. But I guess Marlowe never knew. I didn’t tell her enough how much she was appreciated.”

“I’m sure she knew.” Elora missed Marlowe, too, at times, until she remembered how their relationship ended, with Marlowe trying to fake her own death by murdering Elora in a house fire.

“No.” Gwendolyn shook her head. “I didn’t tell her enough. So, if I tell you too much, know why.”

“I understand,” she said.

“You know, I love all of my girls. My models. I grow so close to them. It’s natural, I suppose. I felt so blessed to have a boy when Gavin was a baby. He was my little man. Just us against the world. I knew I would always have someone to love me and take care of me when I was older. So, by the time he got a little older, I wished I had a daughter. Too, I mean. Not instead. I guess that’s why I cling to so many of you.”

“It’s okay,” said Elora, understanding her better than she had. Was it her way of telling Elora she disapproved of what was going on with Hallie? She had to know they were in the house with her. She had to have seen. And yet, for some reason, one which Elora didn’t understand, she let it slide. She let Enzo and Paul get away with what they were doing.

Or perhaps she didn’t have a choice. That was both disappointing and sad. Elora wanted to like her. But all she felt deep down was that the woman could do much better with her power. And she was going to find out why she didn’t.