Truth (Book 2 of the Consequences Series)
by Aleatha Romig
Claire Nichols endured the
CONSEQUENCES of Anthony Rawlings’ vendetta. When she first arrived to his home,
her goal was survival. Through strength and compartmentalization Claire
captivated her captor. Her resilience in the face of his rule threatened Anthony’s
well developed plan. Domination became desire and power turned to love. Their
passion and adoration in a world of opulence appeared perfect. Yet, reality was
a roller coaster of emotion. Claire’s world teetered on the edge of sanity as
Antony monitored her every move. When given the opportunity to flee, Claire
drove away. A fateful decision which set a well laid plan into motion. However,
unbeknownst to either of them, there were others who saw past the perfect
facade of Anthony Rawlings. There were others who saw the TRUTH. Conspiracy and
unfulfilled promises result in an early prison release for Claire. Not just a
release – a pardon. According to the law, her crime never happened! Will it be
that easy? Faced with freedom from her past... can Claire seize it? Can she
build a new life, mend her broken spirit, become the woman she once was, and
seek her own revenge? Or is it all a game? And does the game master have
different plans? How does Sophia Burke fit into the puzzle that is Tony and
Claire? Will her presence affect the future of this well esteemed man? Can he
dominate twice? Is that his goal? TRUTH continues the tumultuous saga of
CONSEQUENCES, introduces new players, and uncovers more intrigue. Aleatha Romig
skillfully weaves past transgressions through current deception to create a
fervent world of obsessed desire. In this reality can an all-consuming
relationship survive? When buried sins are discovered they threaten not only
Tony and Claire’s future -- but their very lives! Will the TRUTH be revealed in
time?
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Teaser:
The lounge was beautifully contemporary, mostly white
with colored lights, creating an awe-inspiring ambience. She noticed a few
other couples at nearby tables. Claire checked her watch, as the other couples
were escorted from the lounge. At two minutes before seven, she found herself
sitting alone, in the great expanse of the lounge. Maintaining her mask of calm
she watched as the archway filled with the man from her past.
Memories of their last meeting in the Iowa City jail
flooded her consciousness. Tony’s presence filled the otherwise empty room. The
earth no longer rotated on its own axis, but on him. She had compartmentalized
away his utter dominance. As much as she tried to appear aloof, the mixture of
emotions raging through her, threatened to propel her from the soft luxurious
seat. Unconsciously, she gripped the arms of the chair, hoping for stability.
Claire feared, if not for the anchor, she might possibly become airborne.
Her breathing labored as his gorgeous form advanced
closer. With each step, he narrowed the vast fifteen month divide. He hadn’t
changed. His perfect appearance was just as she’d remembered, from his dark
thick hair masterly styled in place, to his brown eyes sparkling with
electricity. His cheeks were raised, revealing a closed lip grin. And of course,
his suit was silk, tailored specifically for him, with cuff links shining from
the edge of his jacket sleeves. If anyone else had been in the room, they would
have disappeared into his all-encompassing aura. But alas, no one else was
present, except the piano player. And momentarily, even the music dissipated.
From the archway to Claire’s table could be traveled in
a few seconds; however, it seemed as though Tony’s casual stride fought an
unseen tide. The seconds lasted minutes, hours, or perhaps days. During the
elapsed expanse of time and space, Claire remembered every moment of their time
together. Three years of memories compressed into a fraction of time. Finally,
accomplishing his journey – because Claire knew Anthony Rawlings rarely failed
at any endeavor–he stood before her table. She fought diligently to remain calm
and serene, as he politely nodded in her direction.
His voice filled the cavernous room, engulfing the
otherwise empty molecules and stirring the cauldron of emotions within her chest.
“Good evening, Claire.”
She’d fought this fight before. Admittedly, she’d
rarely won, but nonetheless, the battle was familiar. Claire pressed on, “Good
evening, Tony. Won’t you please have a seat?”
“Thank you.” He pulled the chair from the table and lowered
his tall lean body into cushioned seat. She watched as his dark eyes remained
fixed on hers. Perhaps the rest of the world was gone. It was the most
plausible answer. Heaven knows she couldn’t see or think of anyone else. That
must be the answer, they were the only two people left, as the Earth spun into
a timeless abyss.
Claire once read time doesn’t pass at normal speeds
within a black hole. If one were to travel into a black hole for only moments
and return again, centuries would have passed. That explained the sensation she
felt, once again peering into his dark gaze. She wouldn’t look away; she’d
trained herself better than that. Then again, she reasoned, it wasn’t an
option. She couldn’t divert her gaze if she wanted. The hold upon her stare was
stronger than any ropes or chains made by man. Claire knew from experience,
submitting to the hold was her best chance at survival. Fighting was a futile
waste of energy.
As she felt herself slipping into her old station, she
remembered her cause. Claire remembered her friends and their support. She
recalled the advice of a good friend. She needed to ask herself, am I in fear of upsetting him? Does he make
me smile? She thought about her cellphones in her purse and her car in the
parking lot.
No! She could fight and survive. She had! Within the
milliseconds that transpired, she clawed her way out of the abyss, time had not
elapsed. She continued their dialogue. “It was nice of you to accommodate my
change in plans.” Taking a sip of her water, she fought the dryness threatening
her mouth and gestured toward a bottle of wine. “I took the liberty of ordering
us a bottle of wine.”
Tony smiled a devilish grin. Claire’s insides
tightened. His eyes lightened as he lifted the bottle and assessed the label.
“Excellent choice.”
Before their conversation could continue, the waiter
appeared at their side. “Monsieur and Mademoiselle, your table is not yet
ready. May I open your wine?”
Claire spoke before Tony could answer, “Oui, grazie.”
She noticed Tony’s smile broaden. In the past she learned amusement wasn’t
always a good thing. A small voice in the back of her head warned her to
proceed with caution.
After the waiter poured the wine, he left them alone,
literally. Claire couldn’t help notice the absence of others. She tried
diligently to keep her increased unease hidden.
“My, Claire, you continue to amaze me. I see you’re
trying to show me the new independent Claire Nichols.” She didn’t speak. He
continued, “You don’t need to work so hard. I’ve been observing you from a far
and am already impressed.”
“Tony, my goal is not to impress. My goal is to show
that I don’t need your observation. I’m doing quite well on my own.”
“I believe you have surpassed my expectations, once
again.”
“And for the record, I was independent before our
encounter.”
“Yes,” pause, “I can see how you would think that.” He
sipped his wine, “Now tell me, what the point was with the change in venue?”
“No point. I’ve eaten here and thought you’d enjoy the
cuisine.”
“I see,” he continued to sip the wine. “That’s good. I
was afraid you were trying to manipulate our visibility...”
Before he could continue the maître d’ approached their
table. “Excusez-moi, your table, it is ready.”
“Gaize,” Tony replied as he stood. While Claire
gathered her handbag, Tony politely helped her with her chair.
As she stood, she continued to fight the old pull. It
was as if she were slipping into Mrs. Anthony Rawlings, perhaps not slipping,
pulled–by an irresistible force. She needed to remain diligent to be the
independent woman she longed to be.
Walking across the empty lounge, Tony placed his hand
in the small of her exposed back. She didn’t fight the contact. Actually, she
fought the sudden desire to melt toward it. Memories came rushing so fast, she
barely had time to blink–the feel of his caress–his ability to elicit emotions
and desires–the warmth and security of his embrace. Although her resolve
diligently fought, her heartbeat quickened and fantasies interlaced her
recollections. Not only, did she remember his large strong hands; she also
remembered his tender mouth, firm steady chest, and tight abdomen. The slight
touch evoked memories of ecstasies they’d shared. Highs, which before him
didn’t exist, and elations she feared were forever extinct.
When his tall body inclined, allowing his lips to hover
near her ear, her body tingled. Then, without warning he whispered, and her
fantasy evaporated. Reality struck with a slap that only real life can elicit.
“I’m glad visibility was not your goal for this evening. I would hate to
disappoint you.”
Meet the Author...
Aleatha Romig is a bestselling
author, who has been voted #1 "New Author to Read" on Goodreads July
2012 - Present! She was also #9 most followed author on Goodreads - July /
August 3013.
Aleatha has lived most of her life in
Indiana growing-up in Mishawaka, graduating from Indiana University, and
currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school
sweetheart and husband of twenty six years, they've raised three children. She
works days as a dental hygienist but enjoys spending her nights writing. When
not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend time with her
family and friends. Her pastimes include exercising, reading and creating
heros/ anti-heros who haunt your dreams!
Aleatha enjoys traveling, especially
when there is a beach involved. In 2011 she had the opportunity to visit
Sydney, Australia to visit her daughter studying at the University of
Wollongong. Her dream is to travel to places in her novels and around the
world.
CONSEQUENCES, her first novel, was
released August 2011 by Xlibris Publishing. October 2012 Ms. Romig rereleased
CONSEQUENCES as an Indie author. TRUTH, the sequel, was released October 30,
2012 and CONVICTED, the final installment of the Consequences Series, is
scheduled for release in October of 2013
Author Links:
Twitter: @AleathaRomig
Website: http://www.consequencesbyromig.com
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