Broken Beginnings: A High Heat Small Town Romance Suspense (Citrus Cove Book 1)

BY THE TIME Cam and I crawled into my bed, it was 3:00 a.m., and I was exhausted. Emotionally, mentally, physically. Honey had been furious, and then after we explained everything, she’d been worried.

I worried about her worrying. I hated that she’d stayed up tonight thinking that I might be dead.

After talking to Honey, I’d sent a message to Emma, telling her everything that happened. She’d promised to call tomorrow morning.

Through it all though, Cam stayed by my side.

His arm looped around my waist, tugging me close. He spooned me, the bed creaking with any movement we made.

Fourteen years ago, I’d sat in this same bed and cried over him. Hating him, cursing him, wishing that he’d never speak to me again.

Cameron’s voice cut through the darkness. “I…”

He trailed off. My heart hammered faster with what I thought he was going to say.

“I’m here for you, sunshine.”

I swallowed hard, my heart squeezing. “Thank you.”

Secretly, I’d wanted to hear him say I love you.

I’d fallen for him, harder than I could have ever imagined. Eventually, I’d have the guts to tell him.

His breathing softened as he slowly fell asleep, his body warm against mine.

I closed my eyes, knowing I was safe with him.

* * *

Since Saturday night, Cam and I had been in and out of the police station. We’d ended up skipping Sunday dinner with his parents, shutting down the winery until further notice, and hardly left each other’s side until today.

It was Wednesday, and the investigation had turned up nothing, only more questions. The footage hadn’t shown much—just Andy leaving, followed by Darlene.

“We’ll let you know if we have any more updates, Haley,” Alexa clipped, giving me a stressed smile.

“Thanks,” I murmured, giving her a wave.

I left her office and stepped out into the morning sun, only to be met by Colt.

I raised a brow. “Are you on Haley duty today?”

Colt winced, giving me a guilty smile. “I am. Cam asked me to meet you here. Said Alexa called you again to ask about Andy.”

“Yeah,” I sighed, adjusting my purse. “She and Bud are trying. They’re working on this case, but whoever killed Darlene did it well. No fingerprints or hair.” At some point, I’d become numb to talking about this.

“And Andy?”

“Still gone.”

Andy had been missing since Saturday, which meant that he was a suspect. I wasn’t convinced, but I wasn’t an officer. Alexa and Bud suspected that it was him, or at the very least, that he might’ve seen something.

I’d learned more about that guy than I would have cared to. He owned a jewelry store that had gone bankrupt and seemed to be spending whatever money he had left on drinking.

Hardly the killer type, in my opinion, which I’d said multiple times.

Cam had dropped me off this morning before heading to the winery. He’d spent the rest of the day installing new lights in the parking lot with Hunter, who—to no one’s surprise—had a friend who was an electrician.

“How ’bout we get breakfast?” Colt offered. “We can walk to the Citrus Cove Cafe. Stretch our legs some, get some sunshine.”

I hesitated but nodded. I hadn’t talked to Sarah since last week, but she should be working the late shift tonight.

Fuck, I’d forgotten about meeting her.

“A bit of normal would be nice.”

Colt smiled, offering me his arm. “My lady.”

I laughed as I hooked my arm in his, falling into step next to him. He was tall and lanky, just like he was in high school, but all of the boyish awkwardness was washed out by the looks of a roguish golden man.

It was humid out, but flowers bloomed everywhere there wasn’t concrete. Citrus Cove was sleepy for a Wednesday morning, cars creeping down Main Street.

Colt slowed his pace to match mine, his legs infinitely longer than my own. He led us to the crosswalk, his demeanor easygoing.

Part of me wondered how he was even able to meet me this early in the middle of the week.

“What do you do, Colt?” I wondered out loud.

“Like for a job?”

“Yeah,” I said. “I’m being nosy. I know you work at the winery, but you do other stuff too.”

He snorted as we crossed the street. The cafe diner sat on the corner. I smiled at the bright blue building, admiring the owner’s choice to make it stick out.

“I’m the vintner for the winery. Technically, I work for Cam, but I’m also one of the owners, so… I guess I work for myself? I went to college for a couple years and got a degree in viticulture and food science. I don’t actually drink anymore, even though this is my job.”

I raised a brow as we went through the front doors. “I literally saw you drink a beer at the party at your place.”

“They’re non-alcoholic.”

“Oh. So…you one hundred percent planned for me to run into Cam that day you first stopped by.”

He laughed. “Maybe. I’m a little devious sometimes. I know your history is rocky, but I want what’s best for my friend, and well…”

I shook my head. “You’re a rat.”

He grinned. “Table for two,” he told the waitress. He looked down at me, clearly amused. “It worked out though, right? Even though I thought you were going to kill him that first night.”

“I thought about it,” I said. “It’s not like our past was warm and cozy. I think he started to win me over when I dumped the beer on him.”

Colt grinned again and shrugged. “That’s just like him, though. He’s obviously changed a lot since high school. We both have.”

We were seated quickly, sliding into a booth.

“Coffee?” the waitress asked.

“Yes, please,” I said.

“Might as well bring us a whole pot, angel,” Colt teased.

She blushed and practically ran off.

“God, between you and Cam, I don’t know how you’re not married already with the way you flirt. Especially in this small of a town.”

“It’s in our blood,” Colt teased. “I think he learned a thing or two from me. Although he’s straight, and I’m most definitely not.”

“Oh. I can’t say I’m surprised.”

He chuckled. “Cam said the same thing when I told him. I’m bi,” he said. “It’s not like I advertise it. I mean, I of course dated girls in high school but then realized a lot more about my sexuality. I was dating a guy in Austin for a while last year, but it didn’t work out. Nothing ever works out.”

I frowned, following his gaze. My eyes widened as I saw Sarah darting back and forth between tables.

“I didn’t know she was working this early,” I whispered.

How much did she work? Once again, I felt a flash of worry for my sister. For her and the boys and their lives. All she did was work and take care of them. What the hell did David even do?

“She works doubles on Wednesdays,” Colt answered, his voice somewhat cold.

I scowled, looking back at him. I knew I shouldn’t pry, but I couldn’t help it any longer. The two of them had been so golden years ago, but now? The tension was unsettling. “What happened between you two?”

Colt shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it, Hal. Sorry.”

Damn. “It’s okay,” I said, grimacing. “I just hate… David.”

“You and me both.”

I thought about the bastard, and then decided to ask Colt something that had been bothering me. “Hey. Is there another man here that looks exactly like David?”

Colt scowled. “What do you mean?”

“Like a doppelgänger or something. A brother?”

“Not that I’ve seen.”

Sarah’s gaze flitted over to us and then she looked away. I sighed and looked at Colt, alarmed by the way he watched her.

Damn it, I was turning into a small towner again. Trying to get into people’s business I had no place in.

“I’m sorry,” I said, deciding to pretend like nothing happened. “Dating sucks. Honestly, Cam is the first person I’ve seriously dated in… god, I can’t even remember. Maybe forever? I’ve been so focused on traveling and my career.”

“I have to admit, I was surprised the two of you have ended up working it out. Even with me meddling somewhat. I love him, but he was an ass to you growing up.”

I took a sip of coffee, letting out a low hum. It was the jolt I needed after a morning that had already gone on too long. “He was. He’s not the same, though. And he’s pretty good at apologizing for things.”

“Good at groveling, too, I hope?” Colt chuckled.

“He is,” I said, smirking.

“Good. I’ve never seen him this happy before, even with everything happening,” Colt said. “He deserves it. You deserve it too. So does that mean you’re staying in Citrus Cove?”

My stomach twisted.

We hadn’t said the L-word Saturday night, but I’d felt the shift. The change between us. It hadn’t been said aloud, but something was different.

Did that mean I’d stay here forever? With Cam?

The waitress brought back our coffee, offering us a grin. “Y’all know what you’d like?”

“Just some toast and eggs and…” I said. I decided I wanted their muffin as well. “The muffin, please.” It was too damn good not to get.

“You got it.” Her gaze fixed on Colt. “And you, darlin’?”

“Will you pick for me?” he asked, his dimples flashing. “I like being surprised and would love to know what you choose.”

She blushed again. “Sure. I-I can do that.”

I gave him a flat look as she left. “You’re terrible!”

He grinned now, leaning back against his seat. He had that ease about him again, like nothing in the world could ruin his day. “I’d like to think that I’m absolutely amazing.”

I was about to retort when I saw a familiar truck pull into the diner parking lot. My words failed, my lips pressing as I watched my brother-in-law get out, stalking toward the doors.

I really didn’t want to see him right now. I had half a mind to run up to him and kick him in the balls, but that would just land us all in trouble.

Colt turned, cursing under his breath. “Motherfucker.”

“Why do they even let him in here?” I whispered.

The way he walked was more of a stagger. It was clear that he’d been drinking. My spine straightened as he came through the doors.

“Just ignore him,” Colt muttered.

That might have worked. But then, David looked up, his gaze meeting mine. I could see the rage, the hatred, all of it cross his ugly face.

“Too late,” I said.

David stalked toward us. He stopped in front of our table, glowering.

“Can I help you?” I asked flatly.

He snorted, looking at me and then Colt. “Shoulda known you’d be sleeping with this one too.”

Colt’s jaw ticked. “Walk the fuck away, David.”

“Or what? You’ll try and sleep with my wife? She’s a whore too. You know, I heard what happened Saturday night. Bet that woman was supposed to be you, wasn’t it?”

My blood ran cold.

David sneered. “Bet you would have fucked him too, huh?”

Colt pushed out of the booth and grabbed David. I barely had a moment to register his movement before he was slamming David down on the tabletop, holding his head there even as he tried to fight against him.

“You’re drunk,” Colt said, his voice eerily calm. “And you don’t deserve to even be alive. I’m going to let you go, and if you don’t leave this place, I will call the police. Do you understand?”

David glared at me, his eyes burning with hate. Pure fucking hatred. My heart pounded, my body frozen in place.

“This is all your fault,” he whispered, his voice clear. Not a single word was slurred.

Colt let him go, which was a mistake. I yelped as David grabbed me by the hair, yanking me out of the booth. I hit the floor hard, the back of my head smashing against the tiles. Even as the pain flared, I tried to pull away. Everything was happening too fast, and I felt his boots collide with my ribs, knocking the breath out of me.

There was an explosion of movement and shouting, but not before he kicked me hard one more time. Pain burst through my side, and I curled into myself.

“Leave her alone!”

I blinked a few times, trying to focus on what was happening. I watched in shock as Sarah and Colt grabbed David, the two of them taking him down to the floor. Tables toppled, chairs screeching out of the way. Colt pinned him down to the ground.

I closed my eyes, my head spinning. Why couldn’t I have one normal day? Just one. That’s all I wanted. No crazy brother-in-law or killer. I wanted no drama.

I felt a set of hands touch me gently, my sister’s voice breaking through the pain.

“I’m right here, Hal,” she whispered. “Fuck, I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault,” I wheezed.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“I’m so sorry,” she said again.

I grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. “We’re buying a house tomorrow. Okay?”

“How can you even say that?” she cried. “How can you even think of me right now?”

“Because you’re my sister, and I love you,” I said.

“I think you have a concussion.”

“Probably…” My eyes were already closing.

I felt myself fall into the sweet darkness.