Collision Course E-Book

Cecile Tellier

• Herausgeber: Cecile Tellier
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

When Collette Cottrell's picture-perfect life is torn apart in one night, she never imagined that the person she would turn to for help would be the handsome Romeo Gallo. With everything she thought she knew crumbling beneath her feet, Collette has no choice but to seek refuge in the unlikely stranger who can offer her safety.

For Romeo Gallo, the weight of responsibility has always been heavy on his shoulders, but nothing could have prepared him for the sudden betrayal that threatens to tear his world and family apart. As he tries to navigate the chaos and piece his life back together, he finds himself drawn to the fiery and fiercely independent Collette. As their paths collide and they try to unravel the mystery that has left their lives in shambles, they discover they have more in common than they could have imagined.
With greed and malice lurking around every corner, Collette and Romeo will have to fight for their futures and each other. In this thrilling tale of betrayal, love, and redemption, Collette and Romeo must rely on their strength and determination to rebuild what was taken from them and protect those they hold dear. Will they be able to survive the turmoil and find their way back to happiness, or will the weight of the past prove too heavy to bear?

Leseprobe

COLLISION COURSE

Extended Edition

CECILE TELLIER

Copyright © 2024 by Cecile Tellier

Photography and Cover Design - FuriousFotog®

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Trigger Warnings:

Discussion of domestic violence.

Violence

BDSM

Drugging Someone Against Their Will

Explicit Sex Scenes - Consenting

There are adult themes and some content that may be sensitive to readers.

This book is dedicated to my family, who has supported me through this rollercoaster. This book is also committed to my best friend and duet cowriter Lynn Burke! Our shenanigans and friendship are for LIFE, bish!

CONTENTS

1. Chapter 1

2. Chapter 2

3. Chapter 3

4. Chapter 4

5. Chapter 5

6. Chapter 6

7. Chapter 7

8. Chapter 8

9. Chapter 9

About the Author

Due Diligence - Preview

Also by Cecile Tellier

ChapterOne

CHAPTER 1

* * *

– Collette –

“Are you sure I need to go to this event? We have a bachelor party scheduled at Kinks tonight, which tends to be chaotic for our staff.” I grumbled while putting the large diamond earrings in. My style preference didn’t lean toward pretentious jewelry. My husband likes everything around him to look expensive, including me.

“I told you I need you with me. Why do I have to say it more than once?” Richard’s voice cut across the room, where he finished adjusting his tuxedo tie. His short-cropped and styled hair and his perfectly trimmed beard were impeccable. Richard was a catch, and I’d been reminded of that thousands of times by other people since we’d married.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Heading in to grab my matching red heels, I mentally slapped myself at the futility of trying to change course for the night. The short red satin cocktail dress showed off my ample curves and many tattoos. As much as Richard liked expensive, he also liked my edgy side.

“I’ll have the hottest wife in the room, as usual.” Richard winked before slapping my ass and heading out of the bedroom. The way my eyes rolled couldn’t be helped. I followed a few minutes behind him and grabbed my purse. Richard stood talking with two of his employees when I entered the living area.

“Is everything all set?” I asked while putting my slight black faux fur shrug on.

“Yeah, we’re good to go.” Richard walked with me to the SUV and got in the backseat behind me. Richard rarely drove. He preferred to be driven around as a sign of his importance.

“I’m going to call the club to ensure everything is all set before the party, okay?”

“Sure, babe. I’m sure everything’s fine, but if it helps you relax and you don’t have to take calls later, go ahead.” Richard’s tone teased, but I knew the threat about not taking calls at the party to be serious.

“Thanks.” I hit the number for my manager. “Hey Daisy, how are things starting? I know you have a busy night.”

“Well, so far, things are good. We have some extra girls in case we need them, and I called two more of our bouncers to come in to make sure nothing goes tits up.” Daisy’s thick South Boston accent came over the line.

“Perfect, I can’t stop in, but you can call Suze in an emergency. She will handle things how I would and send the right folks if needed, okay?” Having Suze on call, so to speak, made life much easier on my nerves. Running a successful exotic dance club could be exciting but also challenging. Kinks started as where I used to dance, and it’s where I met Richard. It seemed like a romantic gesture at the time for him to “give” it to me.

“You got it, boss lady. Go have fun at your fancy party!” Daisy’s voice faded as she yelled something to someone else.

“Okay, I will. Good luck tonight, Daisy.” I ended the call and looked over to where Richard sat texting.

“Do we know everyone at the party? Or are these new folks?” I never really remembered anyone at these things as it concerned my husband’s business.

“Some yes, some we’re trying to impress. Be friendly with everyone, and we should do fine.” Richard responded without looking up from his phone.

“Sure.” As though I was ever rude to anyone affiliated with my husband. I watched out the window as we drove through downtown Boston toward the large hotel towering over most of the corner and halfway down the block of Franklin St.

Limos were parked outside in the front, and our SUV drove to the back to drop us off before going to valet parking.

I instantly regretted wearing high heels. The pavement was not in the best condition, and I tripped through a few cracks and holes before Richard turned and grabbed my arm. “You would think you’d have figured out how to walk in these by now. You were a stripper, for fuck’s sake.” He gritted, all while wearing a fake smile. He continued leading me around the hotel’s back and through the front entrance.

As soon as we entered, Richard’s two employees flanked us, and we walked toward the Westford ballroom marked “Gallo Event.” I’d seen the name before but couldn’t place where I’d seen it. Across the hall, the sounds of another large gathering where loud music and whistling echoed in the hallway. I shook my head, thinking that sounded more my speed. Then we walked into the other room.

The smell of perfume, cologne, liquor, and smoke barraged us as we walked in. I may have been wrong about this not being my usual atmosphere. I smiled in the most practiced way and walked into the room on my husband’s arm. There were many couples, and I recognized one face. I met Richard’s eyes and spoke through my smile.

“Why is Melody here? She has the night off. Odd that she’d be here.”

“Maybe she got invited? It’s not like you are her mom, Collie.” Richard responded with a grin before shaking someone’s hand and moving in to start talking with a tall older man with kind eyes.

“Paulo, it’s great seeing you. Thank you for inviting us to your party.” Richard’s voice remained as charismatic as ever, and I was more aware than ever there was a motive behind his tone.

“I’m glad you could make it. Is this stunning woman your wife? Your club has quite a wonderful reputation.”

“It is. Alexander, this is Collette. Collette, this is Alexander Gallo.” Richard didn’t add to the praise Paulo’d given.

“It’s great to meet you, sir. This is such an impressive party.” I smiled and allowed it to reach my eyes.

“My sons did all the arrangements; I show up dressed. I better find them to ensure they’re not hiding and avoiding their co-hosting duties. I hope we talk later, though.” He patted Richard on the shoulder and moved off into the crowd.

“You need to work on your conversation skills. If all you do is look good, they won’t want to talk for long.” Richard’s cutting words made the smile slip for a moment off my face.

“I didn’t realize I needed to have more ready to talk about. I never assume people have heard about me. I’d never met him. If you gave me some preparation, I might do better.” I responded before thinking better of it. I could bank on there being fallout from this later.

“You need to be ready to talk to people regardless of if you have met them. You don’t need a biography on every person…shit.” Richard cut off with a curse when he turned toward the front of the room.

My gaze followed, and I smiled when I saw Melody heading our way. Her attendance was a surprise, but I was always happy when I was familiar with anyone at these things. Richard, as usual, stood unimpressed.

“I’m going to say hi to Melody. Will you bring me a drink?” I asked, knowing he would not want to talk to one of my dancers and would likely not want me to for long.

“Yeah, I’ll be right back.” He frowned down at his phone before leaving me to go to Melody.

“Hey! I’m glad you’re here!” I yelled as I reached over and hugged her, realizing I meant it.

“Your husband sure doesn’t share your joy! Who spit in his eye?” Melody grinned and linked arms with me as we began heading toward the middle of the room.

“Me, as usual. I love your outfit!” Melody’s white body contour dress ended with a slit up the thigh. Classy with a dash of sex appeal. I laughed but shushed as Richard returned to us with a glass in his hand.

“Here is your drink, darling. Melody, you look lovely as ever.” Richard’s voice sounded polite, but the usual undertone I assumed was annoyance with me lingered.