Surrender Read online

  Surrender

  Angela Ford

  Excerpt from Surrender

  “You need to relax. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re very uptight,” Brett informed her.

  “I have every right to be uptight. My husband just died. Someone wants me dead. You’re parading around naked. I’m stuck in a dingy motel room—with no air conditioning I might add.”

  “There’s only one way to shut you up.” Brett smiled and took her in his arms quickly and kissed her.

  Lauren took a step back and looked at him. She wasn’t sure whether to slap him or kiss him. An inevitable desire to kiss him answered for her. Her hands touched his chest. She felt his heart pound. He hadn’t yet dressed. She felt his arousal against her. His lips parted. His fresh-showered scent drove her senses wild. Nothing else mattered at this moment. Desire overcame her as she met his inviting kiss. His lips brushed against hers. The thought of danger left her thoughts. The fact she’d just buried her husband no longer registered. She opened her mouth to deepen his kiss and the outside world disappeared. She stepped back toward the bed. He followed her lead without letting go of the kiss. A tangled mess led to tangled sheets as they devoured every inch of each other’s bodies.

  Surrender

  A Books to Go Now Publication

  Copyright © Angela Ford 2015

  Books to Go Now

  Also published on Smashwords

  For information on the cover illustration and design, contact [email protected]

  First eBook Edition –January 2015

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

  If you are interested in purchasing more works of this nature, please stop by

  www.bookstogonow.com

  Thank you to all those at Books to Go Now who made this book possible with the best cover!

  And a special thank you to my editor (MM).

  Endless thanks to my children (Devon & Shaylyn) & my very patient man (Tim) for their

  support and understanding of all the hours I spend writing.

  Look for Angela Ford’s Other titles with Books to Go Now

  Closure

  Unforgettable Kiss

  Forbidden

  Blind Tasting

  The Christmas Wreath

  The Love List

  Christmas Forever

  Justice that love gives is a surrender, justice that law gives is a punishment. –Gandhi

  Chapter One

  “Stay here!” Narcotics Agent Brett Donovan ordered and reached for his gun. He pointed it away from her and released the safety.

  Lauren Reynolds froze. Startled fear raced through her veins. Agent Donovan said they would come back to finish the job.

  Agent Donovan turned off the light and opened the door slightly and looked through the crack down the darkened hallway. He swiftly placed his back against the wall and held his gun in an upright position. “Lock the door and call 911,” he told her.

  His calm voice settled her enough to follow his order. She locked the bedroom door and picked up her phone. With trembling fingers, she dialed 911.

  “There’s someone in my house planning to kill me,” Lauren frantically whispered. The 911 operator asked for her name, address and if she was alone. She told the operator about Agent Donovan then took a quick breath and felt relieved when the operator told her help was on the way. The sudden sound of a gunshot made her jump. Lauren dropped her phone and sucked in a quick breath. She stepped back and hid behind the tall chest of drawers. She shook in fear in the dark. She didn’t move. She couldn’t. Why is this happening to me?

  Still dressed in her black Chanel suit, Lauren nervously played with the classic string of pearls that hung around her neck. Her matching hat still lay on the bed. All she removed after the funeral were the black heels she’d just bought at Saks Fifth Avenue the day before. Appearance always remained of the upmost importance to Lauren Reynolds. She loved her husband and mourned his death. Then Agent Donovan knocked on her door with the shocking news that her husband’s death was not an accident.

  Lauren Reynolds came from money, the only child of the Vanderholms of New Jersey, born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her parents wanted her to marry someone from their world but Lauren chose John Reynolds. He owned an import/export business in Jersey. A well-known and respected businessman, John did not come from old money. His warehouse shipped domestic goods around the world—or so Lauren believed. She fell deeply in love with John. She became a widow before their first anniversary.

  An explosion in John’s warehouse took his life. The police closed the case as an accident. Lauren’s family and closest friends gathered after the funeral. She assumed the knock at her door would be a friend who’d forgotten something. Lauren opened the door to a sexy rugged-looking man who flashed a badge.

  “FBI Narcotics Agent Brett Donovan, I’d like to talk to you about your husband’s murder.” He stressed her husband’s death was not an accident and her life was in danger.

  She let him in.

  “Thank you Mrs. Reynolds. I’m sorry to drop by on the day of the funeral, but word on the street is there’s a hit out for you.” Agent Donovan told her that her husband had been involved with the drug cartel and shipped drugs from his warehouse.

  Lauren didn’t want to believe him.

  “That is absurd! Please leave.” Lauren stormed up her spiral staircase from the front foyer.

  Agent Donovan followed her into her bedroom. She tossed her hat on the bed and threw her shoes into the closet.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you Mrs. Reynolds, especially today.” He spoke with compassion.

  “Then why did you come? The police told me the explosion was an accident. How dare you suggest my husband was involved with the drug cartel?” Lauren shouted. Before she could say another word, she heard a noise downstairs.

  “Is there anyone in the house with you?” he asked and quietly shut the bedroom door.

  “No, everybody left,” she replied, startled.

  When the doorknob rattled a few moments later, Lauren peered around the edge of the chest of drawers. She hadn’t moved.

  “Mrs. Reynolds, its Agent Donovan.”

  The sound of his voice relieved her enough to slowly walk toward the door and unlock it.

  “It’s safe to come out now.” He spoke calmly.

  She wondered how he could be so calm as she shook uncontrollably.

  “Perhaps a drink will calm your nerves.” He suggested to her.

  “Great idea, I could use a double.” Lauren walked out of the bedroom and motioned for him to follow. She led him downstairs and into her husband’s cigar room.

  “Would you like me to mix the drinks?” He offered. She watched him eye the selection of her husband’s cigars after mixing the drinks.

  “Help yourself. Take them all if you’d like. I never did like the smell when John…” She paused and a tear formed in her
eye. For a moment she wished she could smell the scent. At least then John would be alive.

  Agent Donovan politely declined, “No thank you, I don’t smoke. I know it’s a lot to digest Mrs. Reynolds.” Brett handed her a drink.

  “Thank you,” she said and took the drink.

  Agent Donovan’s phone rang. “I’m sorry, it’s my superior. I have to take this.”

  Lauren listened to the agent’s side of the conversation. He mentioned to his superior that he’d arrived at the Reynolds home. She heard him reiterate the attempt on her life and he’d fired a shot but the man got away. He pressed the end button on his phone and turned to face Lauren when the doorbell rang. Lauren attempted to leave the room but he stopped her.

  “It’s not safe. Allow me to answer the door.” He strongly suggested she remain in the cigar room.

  Lauren stood at the entrance to the cigar room. From there she saw him open the door to two police officers and could hear their conversation.

  “Agent Brett Donovan, FBI.” He extended his hand to each officer.

  “Officer O’Brien and this is Officer Taylor. The 911 operator mentioned an agent onsite. She also mentioned an intruder. Is this correct?”

  Agent Donovan nodded. “Yes, that is correct. Please come in.” He motioned the officers toward Lauren and introduced her.

  “This is Lauren Reynolds and this is her home. I came for her husband’s funeral today. Family and friends just left when we heard a noise. I fired my gun when I saw a dark shadow in the kitchen but did not hit him. Once the intruder realized he wasn’t alone, he fled through the back door.”

  Lauren couldn’t believe what she heard. Why the hell is he not telling them about the assigned hit and my husband’s murder?

  “Is this correct Mrs. Reynold’s?” Officer O’Brien asked. Lauren looked at Agent Donovan who slightly shook his head. She figured he didn’t want her to mention anything about the hit out for her. Brett made it sound like a simple break-and-enter. Confused she nodded. “Yes Officer.”

  The officers then asked if they could check the kitchen and the remainder of the house. Agent Donovan offered to show them around.

  “Let me take you. It’s been a long emotional day for Mrs. Reynolds. She needs to rest.”

  He led Lauren to the sofa and handed her drink to her. Questions raced through her mind. She decided to wait until the officers left before she drilled the agent. She lifted the glass to her lips. The alcohol soothed her anxiety. The officers came back to the cigar room and reminded her to alarm the house after they left. She nodded in agreement. Agent Donovan informed the officers he would take her to her family’s home and walked them to the door.

  “Why did you tell them it was a possible robbery? Why didn’t you tell them what you told me?” Lauren finally spoke sharply at him.

  “Our investigation has been undercover for the past year. The local police have no clue about your husband’s business. For now we are going to keep it that way,” he told her in a warning tone.

  “For now” She stormed across the room, inches away from him. She stood eye-to-eye with Agent Donovan at five-foot-ten.

  He didn’t move and didn’t say a word.

  “Some man just tried to kill me. You’re the one who just told me there’s a hit out for me. Why the hell didn’t you tell the officers that?” Anger raced through her veins. Her dad always told her she’s as fiery as her red hair.

  “I’m not blowing the investigation. Not now. I’m too close to crack it wide open,” Agent Donovan answered in a sharp tone of voice. Lauren looked deeply into his eyes for some sort of compassion. She heard compassion in his voice earlier, but now he seemed cold. His eyes were the one thing that did catch her attention. They were piercing green. His dark long eyelashes only enhanced the color. His messed hair and five o’clock shadow gave him such a sexy look. The scent of his cologne teased her senses. Lauren shook her head loose of those thoughts and remembered her anger with him. More so, she’d buried her husband just hours before. She sighed heavily. She noticed his eyes drop to her chest as she took a deep breath. He smiled. This angered her more and she spun around and walked to the phone by the bar. He followed her and grabbed the phone from her hand.

  “No phone calls,” he said harshly.

  “You don’t own me. Give me the damn phone. I’m calling my father.”

  “Your father can’t protect you. Neither can the police. But I can.”

  Lauren took another deep breath and rolled her eyes. Who the hell does he think he is? Does he know who my father is? Her eyes widened. She wondered if he read minds.

  “Your father’s money can’t protect you. The people that want you dead don’t care about your money. They just want to finish the job.”

  “Why? I don’t know anything about my husband’s business. I was never a part of it. I’m not even sure I believe you. John was a good man. He wouldn’t get involved with people like that.” She stormed past him and went upstairs.

  “Do I have to chase you around this house all night just to talk to you?” He hollered out to her.

  She stopped and turned. “You can always leave.” She threw the words at him and continued up the stairs.

  He found her seated at the end of her bed. He leaned against the doorway with his arms folded. She looked up at him. Her mind raced about the tall sexy, rugged-man that stood at her doorway. Her thoughts shocked her. Her husband just died and she was supposed to be grieving not desiring another man. She shrugged it off in the belief she was just confused. She’d been grieving and then he showed up and threw this information in her face. Then with someone in the house and the sound of a gunshot; she felt sure confusion, exhaustion and anger took over.

  “I won’t leave. I’m here to protect you. Trust me. I will.”

  Lauren wasn’t sure if his ego just spoke or if he actually cared. The man rattled her.

  “Fine, I’m too tired to argue with you. I’m going to bed. Please close my door.” She got up from the bed, walked into her bathroom and shut the door. Part of her felt relieved he would protect her.

  Chapter Two

  Brett found his way to the kitchen. It’s going to be a long night, he thought. He started a pot of coffee and went to his car to grab his briefcase. He decided to work even though there were several bedrooms in the mansion to grab a bed for the night. Exhausted from the drive from Washington which preceded the redeye from Mexico, he could have easily taken one of those beds, but his work ethic took over. There was no time for rest and he wasn’t a guest. He hadn’t even been invited to the funeral, though he had known John in college. He remained on the outskirts where no one noticed him. No invitation told Brett that John hadn’t mentioned his name to his new family. Why would he? Brett thought. The two hadn’t kept in touch. After college, they went their separate ways. They both had goals to achieve.

  Brett camped at the kitchen table with his coffee and files. He’d been investigating the drug cartel for three years since he joined the narcotics department at the FBI, his goal after college. He spent four years in Washington with the Secret Service until the opportunity arrived with the narcotics department: an undercover position in Mexico to bring down the drug cartel operations that filled the streets of New York. His investigations led him to John.

  The discovery shocked him. John had been the most decent guy he met at college. Brett couldn’t save John but he felt obligated to protect his wife. He wanted to tell Lauren, when she first opened her door, about his friendship with John in college, but he knew he couldn’t let it get personal. He hadn’t told his superior of his connection to John Reynolds. The case was too important to risk it. The FBI knew his parents had been at the wrong place at the wrong time when a drug deal went down. They’d been caught in the middle of a bad deal that took their lives. Brett remained cold-hearted when questi
oned about his parents’ deaths. He led the FBI interviewer to believe he wasn’t close to his parents since he chose his career path in criminology instead of his father’s wish to join him in the family business. For generations, the family had been Real Estate Investors. Brett convinced the FBI he was the man for an undercover operation because he had no family and could fade into thin air without any questions to his whereabouts. His credentials for the past four years confirmed his eligibility for the job. His superior warned him not to let it get personal.

  He set his coffee cup down and ran his hands through his messed hair and across his face. He’d shaved before he left Washington but the stubble had already grown back. He wasn’t used to the thought of a shave and shower. For the past three years, his undercover position didn’t require a clean shave. He lived in some crummy places while undercover. Before his post in Mexico, there wasn’t a day that Brett Donovan wasn’t dressed to perfection. His parents would have been shocked by his appearance the past few years. Then again, they were the reason he was there. He was determined to bring down the operation that took his parents’ lives.

  “Do you ever sleep Agent Donovan?” A sleepy soft voice startled him away from his thoughts.

  He looked up from his files. Lauren stood at the kitchen doorway. Her neatly-kept soft tresses had been let loose into a wave of fiery-red curls beyond her shoulders that enhanced her hazel eyes and dark lashes. Her eyes were sharp. They took in everything in her surroundings. She was a beautiful woman any man, in his right mind would notice. He could tell she came from money. Not just by her polished appearance. She moved with confidence. Her speech and mannerisms cried out a sophisticated education. Silk wrapped her every curve and barely covered her thighs. He saw her follow his eyes down to them and back up to her chest. Her wrap, tied loosely, allowed part of her breasts to peak out from the silk that barely covered them. She smiled. He knew she saw his eyes travel, but he ignored being caught.