Shiver of Deception (Soul of the Sinner- Book 5) Read online

  Shiver of Deception

  Rumer Raines

  Contents

  1. Oliver

  2. Bryn

  3. Oliver

  4. Bryn

  5. Oliver

  6. Bryn

  7. Oliver

  8. Bryn

  9. Oliver

  10. Bryn

  11. Oliver

  12. Bryn

  13. Oliver

  14. Bryn

  15. Oliver

  16. Bryn

  17. Oliver

  18. Bryn

  19. Oliver

  20. Bryn

  21. Oliver

  22. Bryn

  23. Oliver

  24. Bryn

  25. Oliver

  26. Bryn

  27. Oliver

  28. Bryn

  29. Oliver

  30. Bryn

  31. Oliver

  32. Bryn

  33. Oliver

  34. Bryn

  35. Oliver

  36. Bryn

  37. Oliver

  38. Bryn

  39. Oliver

  40. Bryn

  41. Oliver

  Acknowledgments

  Copyright 2018 Rumer Raines

  All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without prior written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the authors imagination or are use factitiously.

  Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  Oliver

  It was getting late and I was getting tired. I stared at the clock and noticed I had been interviewing for hours. Suppressing a shudder at the thought of talking to another person, I glanced around my office wondering how much more of this shit I could take. I was reminded by the coffee brewing that I still had a long way to go.

  After interview number six, I was at my breaking point. Maybe I should just do the damn books myself? I stared at the job applications and rolled my eyes when I noticed I had five more interviews to go through.

  The next interview was Bryn Dorsey. I didn’t know if it was a man or woman, but they had limited experience, which meant barely any. I didn’t understand why in the hell they even applied. The last job they held was three years ago. I wondered if I should even bother doing the interview. It would obviously be a waste of their time and mine. When there was a soft knock on the door, I called for Dorsey to come in. They were right on time, which normally would have impressed me. However, this was a person who had sat on their ass for three years.

  When she walked in, my knees weakened. This couldn’t be Bryn Dorsey. Please, don’t let this be Bryn Dorsey who I thought would be wasting my time. Her figure was curvy and regal. Her face was a perfect oval. There was soft color on her sweet, curled lips, and she smelled like honeysuckle, which made my whole damn office smell good. My cock immediately stiffened, which meant I was in trouble.

  I stood and walked over to her, extending my hand.

  “Are you Bryn Dorsey?” My stomach was already in knots.

  “I am. It’s nice to meet you…” She paused, waiting for me to introduce myself.

  Sweat trickled down my spine. “Just call me Oliver. Please, take a seat.” My heart thumped as she sat across from me, crossing her legs. I wanted those legs wrapped around my waist.

  I listened intently and found myself leaning forward whenever she spoke. I couldn’t help but notice that she stumbled over her words a few times when I questioned her.

  Does she feel it, too? Am I affecting her the way she is me? I shouldn’t be thinking about pussy in the middle of this interview.

  When I reviewed her resume, my eyes automatically glanced at her work history and the fact that she hadn’t worked in the last three years. I noticed a slight change in her expression and body language when I brought it up.

  Bryn explained that she was dealing with family issues during that time and took the time off. I nodded my head, fully understanding that family would always be the most important thing… even for a man like me.

  I leaned back and adjusted my tie as I told her more about the position. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was beautiful, with beautiful olive skin, coffee brown eyes, and long black hair. She had a small tattoo on her wrist that said, “stay strong.” She pulled her sleeves down further when she realized that I saw it.

  I’ve never been the kind of man who believed in that love at first sight shit, but for some reason, she was already pulling on my cold, black heart.

  “How do I compare with the other candidates?"

  I adjusted myself in my seat as I stared into her coffee brown eyes. She was the only fucking candidate as far as I was concerned. My hardening cock agreed.

  "You should be happy with your chances," I replied, and she smiled but it didn't meet her eyes. I could get lost in those beautiful eyes.

  "What are the next steps in the interview process?"

  I closed my eyes, realizing that she was still focused on this interview. There was nothing more I wanted to do at that moment than to push up that skirt of hers and crawl between her legs.

  The only thing between us was my desk with the stacks of paper that I would push off. Hell, I would take her right on top of them. There was nothing more important than getting into her pussy.

  "How about you start on Monday?"

  Her eyes widened, and I heard her small gasp. She accepted the position and shook my hand before I walked her through the dark club as Alex and Adele smiled at me.

  I pulled open the heavy door and stared at her ass as she walked out. When the door slammed shut, I growled at Alex as he chuckled. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head.

  "What the fuck is your problem?" I asked as I walked to the bar, pulling out a bar stool.

  "I bet she got the job, didn't she?" he teased. I rolled my eyes as Adele shook her head and walked to the back, leaving Alex and me alone in our usual brotherly banter.

  "She was the most qualified," I offer.

  "I bet she was. I don't think the guy you interviewed this morning had an ass as nice as hers either. Didn't he have a Master’s degree in Accounting and 20 years’ experience?"

  "I think I am the one hiring the fucking bookkeeper, am I not?"

  "Yes, you are. Just remember this isn't Cheers. You need to hire someone that will keep their mouth shut and not ask questions," Alex reminded me as if I needed the fucking reminder.

  "This coming from the man who is now married to the fucking waitress."

  The bartender let out a low laugh as he dried off the glasses for the night. I didn’t even realize he was here. He tilted his head at me as he quickly glanced at Alex. We were family and looked after each other, but no one liked to ruffle Alex’s feathers. He was probably waiting for punches to be thrown.

  I loved Adele and knew she was the best thing that ever happened to Alex. He found a good thing. Hell, everyone that I did business with, whom I considered brothers, had found something good.

  They were all happily married with kids and, at first, I felt sorry for them. I was Uncle Oliver to all of them, making short personal appearances. That’s the way I always preferred it. The kids had somehow started to get to me. They each had me wrapped around their little dirty fingers, and I was starting to like it. I started to crave it. I wanted it. Hell, I felt I might need it.

  I’d leave their noisy homes where the kids ran around causing messes, and I’d go back to my qu
iet townhouse. I had no one waiting for me, no one calling me Daddy. Plenty of women were willing to fill the empty spot in my bed, but I didn't want any of them there permanently. I thought of them as available pussy and nothing more. I barely knew anything about them, and I preferred it that way. They got what they wanted, and I got what I needed.

  With kids constantly being pushed out, it left more for me to do at the club. Frank Deluca always kept the books; that was just the way things were done. We couldn’t let just anyone see the numbers. When he found out his wife was pregnant with their second set of twins, he decided that someone else needed to do the job. His hands would be full at home. He decided that I would be in charge, and since I believe in delegation, I knew I would hire someone else to do it. I had to find someone we could trust. Someone who wouldn’t ask questions.

  No one was happy with my decision. The books had always been kept private. Our business was never exactly one-hundred percent legit. We were always two steps outside the law. We’d always done what was necessary to make money and provide for our families. They never wanted for anything and neither did our employees. Everyone was well paid and kept quiet. They remained loyal, and we were loyal to each of them.

  After convincing everyone that I would find someone we could trust, I started the interview process. I was shocked at how many applicants I had to interview. None of them thrilled me. I needed to find someone who would be loyal to me and the Delucas. I also wanted someone with a fucking backbone. Anyone that walked in kissing my ass was immediately a hell no.

  I didn’t want anyone around me that only told me what they thought I wanted to hear. People like that would be the first ones to screw you over, doing what they thought was best or hiding the fucking truth from you. I wouldn’t be able to trust someone like that. Those were the employees that would rat you out to the cops because it was the right thing to do… for themselves.

  Bryn

  I said a prayer before I got out of my car. I needed this job more than I needed anything else in life… almost more than anything else in life. It’d been three years since I had had a job, so hopefully, that wouldn’t be held against me. I also prayed that those years wouldn’t be questioned. How could I ever explain the missing years?

  I walked into Deluca’s and was welcomed inside by a girl at the door. I advised her that I had an interview, and she nodded and grabbed the phone. When she hung up, she pointed toward stairs and instructed me to go to the third door on the right.

  Deluca’s was much bigger inside than it appeared from the outside. There was a restaurant, bar, and nightclub inside the dark space. Everything inside was black and red leather. The floors appeared to be marbled. It was obvious that money wasn’t an issue for the owners. An alarm rang in my mind as I walked toward the stairs, but I ignored it and clutched my purse tighter.

  I was so scared walking up the stairs that I felt like I was going to faint. That would be a wonderful first impression, wouldn’t it? Breathe deep, Bryn. Breathe deep. I had been through far worse than a damn job interview.

  After gently knocking on the door, someone called for me to come in. He walked toward me and extended his hand. I watched as he approached, my heart fluttering in my chest. Warmth spread through me. This man was drop-dead gorgeous. His hair was cut short, and he had a sexy five o’clock shadow. His teeth, even and white, contrasted pleasantly with his olive skin. His features were so perfect, so symmetrical, that any more delicacy would have made him too beautiful for a man.

  I had to remind myself that I was there for a job and nothing else.

  It felt as if we sat across from each other for hours. His eyes were so intense as they stared into mine. I tried to look away but couldn’t. My heart nearly stopped each time we made eye contact. I crossed my legs in an attempt to make myself comfortable, but it was useless.

  He offered me the job, but I felt like he was offering me more. Maybe I was just hoping he was offering me more?

  “How about you start Monday?” He tilted his brow, looking at me with uncertainty.

  If I would have had any plans on Monday, they would have been canceled. I may have gasped when he asked If I could start Monday. I said a prayer, but I didn’t think I would be offered the job. When he took my hand again, something felt different. I felt something that I didn’t understand.

  Oliver walked me back downstairs and to the door. There was another attractive man and a woman standing at the bar. They both glanced at me and smiled at Oliver. I knew what was in their eyes… suspicion. I couldn’t let that bother me; I had a job and I planned on keeping it.

  When Monday finally arrived, I found myself sitting in Oliver’s office. He went over the business with me, telling me about the owners, Frank and Alex Deluca. I guess Frank’s wife was having twins, so he was going to limit the time he spent at the club. Alex ran the bar, and Oliver said he oversaw the club. He went over all the first-day information that most people get when they start a new job, which included where the bathrooms were and introducing me to the other employees.

  Oliver advised that I could use his office since I would be in during the day and he was only in at night. Raising fine, arched eyebrows, I protested. There was no way I could use his office. I could sit downstairs at the bar and do the books. This was his space, and I didn’t want to intrude. Using his office felt too personal. I wasn’t here to do personal.

  “We would prefer that you not leave the office with the books. It’s either my office or Frank’s.” He quirked his eyebrow questioningly.

  “I guess I will use your office then.” I clamped my jaw tight and stared at him as he rubbed his stubbled chin.

  His eyes caught and held mine. “Tell me about yourself, Bryn.”

  “There is nothing to tell,” I whispered.

  His dark eyes softened. “What did you do over the weekend? Are you dating anyone?”

  “That is a little personal, isn’t it? Nothing in my personal life will affect this job.”

  His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he finished going over the books with me. Oliver advised that tomorrow I would be on my own, and I was thankful for that. I didn’t think I could spend too much time alone in this office with him.

  I didn’t understand why he questioned me about the weekend and my love life. If I was going to keep this job, I’d have to make sure he understood that I was here to work and nothing else. I couldn’t afford to get too close to anyone.

  Oliver didn’t ask any more personal questions while we reviewed the books. We went over book after book, and when we finally took a break, I heard music coming from downstairs. I glanced at my watch seeing that I had been here for almost ten hours.

  It didn’t make any sense why one club had so many fucking books. When I questioned Oliver if only one book could be used, his response held a note of impatience. He explained to me that everything must be kept separate and never mixed. His mouth was tight and grim, and I knew not to question him more on the subject.

  When everything was balanced, we locked everything away in the safe. We’d take it to the bank first thing in the morning.

  “Did you want to grab a drink before you go? It’s officially after hours for you.” He lifted an eyebrow.

  Should I grab a drink with him? Is he testing me? I hesitated, blinking with bafflement.

  “This isn’t a test, Bryn. You are officially off the clock and I don’t mind if you get a drink.” He licked his lips.

  A warning whispered in my head. I swallowed hard, trying to manage a feeble answer.

  “Have one drink with me, Bryn.” He said the words tentatively as if testing the idea. I nodded and agreed to one drink with my boss. We looked at each other and smiled in earnest. Nervously, I bit my lip as he placed his hand on my lower back and led me downstairs.

  Instead of going to the bar, Oliver led us to a booth in the back of the club. It was cozy, too cozy, which had me feeling uncomfortable. There was a candle burning on the table, and the booth had high walls so no one cou
ld see us. It was obviously for privacy, which I realized must be for the richer clientele. This all felt familiar to me and I didn’t like it.

  Oliver held up his hand and the waitress came over to take our order. I ordered a pear martini and he ordered gin. Before his appealing smile, my defenses melted away. What was it about this man? His expression suddenly stilled and grew serious after our drinks were delivered.

  “Do you have family in Chicago?” he asked before swallowing a gulp of his gin.

  I closed my eyes for a second, wondering how I should answer the question. I didn’t want anyone here sticking their nose in my personal life. I didn’t want to be a cold bitch, but I had no other choice. I would give him the best simple answer to any question he asked. I just couldn’t promise it would be the truth.

  “Nope.”

  “Are you originally from here?”

  “No, I am originally from Kansas,” I answered, turning my face away from him. Why in the hell did I say Kansas?

  “Kansas?” His head swung lazily to the other side as he lifted his hand to squeeze his bottom lip.

  “Yep. Kansas. Do you have a problem with that?” I could hear the suspicion in his tone.

  “Not at all, Bryn. Did you want another drink?” he asked, glancing at my empty glass.

  We stared at each other across a sudden ringing silence. His eyes darkened as he held my gaze, his accusing eyes riveted on me. Disconcerted, I crossed my arms and pointedly looked away.