Silent Deception: A BWWM Romance Read online

  Silent Deception

  Peyton Banks

  Copyright © 2019 by Peyton Banks

  Editor: Emmy Ellis with Studioenp

  Cover Design by Pretty In Ink Creations

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, businesses, events, and incidents are a figment of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any similarities to real people, businesses, locations, history, and events are a coincidence.

  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 the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Created with Vellum

  “Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.”

  Mark Twain

  Contents

  Notice

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  A Note From the Author

  About the Author

  Also by Peyton Banks

  Notice

  This short story was previously published in the Kiss Me, Kill Me anthology.

  Chapter One

  The fragrance surrounded her, a musky yet sweet smell brushing against her senses. With her eyes closed, Jazz Tyson breathed in deeply and let loose a sigh.

  Rosa moschata, rose mulliganii, and rosa arvensis.

  The variety of her favorite flowers filled the entire garden with a fragrance that calmed her.

  Brought peace to her.

  Their aromatic scent was strong enough that one would be able to smell it at a distance.

  In a time where she felt nothing, coming to her favorite place brought her a slight hint of joy.

  Her eyes fluttered open and slowly came into focus. Her beautiful gardens she had worked so hard to cultivate over the years was nestled away in a small area of her property that gave her some privacy from her busy and complicated life.

  Footsteps echoed behind her on the stone walkway. She stiffened and shifted her head slightly to see who the newcomer was.

  “I’m afraid it’s time, Jazz,” Lewis announced. Dressed in a black tailored suit, he was the epitome of shrewd businessman. His hair was cut close to his head, while his face was clean-shaven. His deep-mocha skin was flawless thanks to the luxurious facials he loved to indulge in. Currently his dark eyes were focused on her.

  “I know,” she replied, glancing down at her watch. She pushed off the stone seat and stood. Her gaze swept over the rose bushes surrounding her. As much as she didn’t want to leave, she knew she couldn’t hide here forever.

  “Where’s Aden?” he asked, moving in closer behind her.

  She kept her face neutral, not wanting to display her disdain regarding him. She turned to him, catching a slight movement over his shoulder.

  Charlie.

  Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of her bodyguard. She’d only detected his whereabouts because he wanted her to know he was close by.

  She had grown attached to her shadow, hired on to be her protector three years ago. He had become a friend and confidant over the years.

  He’d been chosen by her husband when he’d been threatened over a tense business deal. She’d long ago suspected that her husband hadn’t left his past of crime behind him.

  Their marriage had been one of convenience, arranged when she was nineteen years old by her father. Denton Tyson was a man who would make a name for himself, and with her father’s backing, he had.

  Her husband had meager beginnings and had many altercations with the law.

  He was a genius.

  A prodigy.

  And her father had believed in him.

  His crimes—computer hacking.

  With the help of her father’s financial support, Denton started his company and grew it into a billion-dollar corporation.

  Over the years, Jazz had thought Denton would grow to love her, and at one point she’d thought she had loved him.

  But the love of her husband never came.

  To him, she was his possession.

  “Aden is with his babysitter,” she responded, bringing her focus back to Lewis. With their wealth, she could have easily afforded around-the-clock nannies, but that was not Jazzy’s way. She had never wanted to be one of those mothers who left it to the nanny to raise her child.

  No, she had always been hands-on with Aden. She did employ a sitter who was paid handsomely to be available whenever she needed.

  “You’re not bringing him to his own father’s funeral?” Lewis’s eyebrows shot up high.

  Lewis Otto and her husband had been the very best friends and business partners. Jazz knew Lewis felt it was his responsibility to watch out for her and her son, but it was for all the wrong reasons.

  She grabbed her clutch from where it lay before turning to meet his gaze. Nausea rose in her stomach at the heat that flared in his eyes.

  Lewis wanted her.

  “Aden is too young to understand what is going on. At his age, if he will have any memories of his father, I want it to be the last time they played together—not Denton lying in a box.”

  She hated the thought that her son would grow up without a father, but there was nothing she could do to bring her husband back from the dead.

  “I guess you would know what is best.” He placed his hands in his pants pockets.

  She grew irritated at the fact that he thought he would know what was best for her child. “That I do.”

  Lewis glanced over his shoulder with a scowl forming.

  “Why is he hovering so close? You are on your property. What does he think? You’re going to just up and disappear?” Lewis snorted, spinning back to her.

  “Considering my husband was murdered, I’d say he is exactly where he should be.” Her gaze flickered to Charlie’s, and she fought to keep her emotions from her face.

  Charlie Shepherd was tall and muscular with broad shoulders. His skin was tanned from his hours out in the sun. His dark-blond hair begged for her fingers to run through it, and his beard gave him a rugged look that made her core clench.

  Over the years, her attraction for him had grown, but she would never act on it.

  Never.

  “I don’t like the way Big Country looks at you,” Lewis muttered.

  Big Country was Charlie’s nickname. It fit him perfectly. He was a country boy at heart, growing up in a small town in Oklahoma. His southern twang always brought a smile to her lips.

  He’d spent time in the army, and his deadly training in the service made him the perfect choice for the job. He didn’t speak much about his time in the military, but whatever he experienced, it still haunted him.

  She moved to stand in front of Lewis, unafraid to meet his eyes.

  “You’re deranged, Lewis. He doesn’t look at me in any specific way. Now if you will excuse me, as you came over here to remind me, I need to go bury my husband.”

  She took a step to walk around him, but his hand shot out and gripped her arm. Her heart raced at the contact. She caught sight of Charlie stalking toward her with murderous rage on his face. She held her hand up and gave a slight shake of her head. He paused, his narrowed eyes focused on Lewis.

  “Listen, Jazzy,” Lewis murmured.

  She hated the sound of her nickname on his tongue. She glared at his hand on her arm, trying to give him a hint that his touch was unwelcome. He ignored the glare. She met his gaze and tried to keep her breathing rate down.


  A smile formed on his lips, and he lightened his hold on her but didn’t release her. “I know you are taking Denton’s death hard. We all are.”

  Are we? she thought to herself. If he was, he wouldn’t be trying to move in on his best friend’s wife when his friend wasn’t even cold in the ground.

  “And what are you offering, Lewis?” She dared him to admit to his true reasons for being around so much. She moved closer to him, her gaze unwavering.

  “I’m offering my friendship, as always.” He grinned. His dark eyes spoke of his true intentions, and none of them had to do with friendship. “And a shoulder to cry on if you need it.”

  “We were never friends, Lewis.” She snorted.

  They hadn’t been close over the years. He was just like her husband—a conniving man—and she refused to belong to someone who didn’t respect her as a strong woman.

  She snatched her arm away from him. “And we’ll never be.”

  She brushed past him, striding toward Charlie. He nodded to her without a word as she passed him.

  She walked away from her private oasis with her head held high. She refused to have her little remote area tainted by the death of her husband.

  He’d marred much of her life, and now she had a chance to start over. There was so much she needed to do, but first she needed to bury her dearly departed husband.

  Chapter Two

  Country had to keep himself from staring off after Jazzy. Dressed in a form-fitting black dress that stopped below her knees, and killer heels, she left him needing to adjust himself.

  He released a curse.

  The woman was about to go bury her husband, and here he was lusting after her. He stood still, watching her walk past him out of the corner of his eye. He switched his attention to Lewis who was a pain in his side.

  Country had little respect for a man trying to make advances on a woman who should be grieving for her husband. Lewis wasn’t even hiding the fact he was trying to snag his close friend’s wife.

  County’s body grew tense—he sensed the shorter man sauntering over to him. Lewis straightened his tie before moving to the cufflinks of his suit. The smirk on Lewis’s lips had Country clenching his fists. The urge to wipe it off his face was strong, but Country resisted.

  “She’s too good for you, you know.” Lewis snickered, looking around Country at the retreating Jazz. “She’s a woman of culture and wealth. She deserves nothing but the finer things in life.”

  “Is that so,” Country breathed. He narrowed his gaze on the businessman who was a fool to not back away from Country. He hated men like Lewis. They were all the same. Privileged little shits who thought they deserved everything at a snap of their fingers.

  While Country had been off in the deserts of the Middle East defending the country, Lewis and Denton were living the life of luxury without a care in the world.

  “The bracelet on her wrist is worth more than you probably make in six months,” Lewis announced.

  That was a low blow.

  Country released a deep chuckle, and it was then Lewis must have noticed the glint in Country’s eye. His audible swallow echoed through the tense air. Country stood to his full height, towering over Lewis by a half a foot. He stepped forward until the tips of their shoes bumped into each other. He wanted to make sure he had invaded Lewis’s personal space.

  If the man thought he would intimidate Country with his wealth, he would have another think coming. It would take a lot more than a man throwing his wallet around to break Country. He’d stared down the toughest sons of a bitches in the desert back in his day and he’d be damned if a prissy man with money would make him back down.

  “I couldn’t agree more. Mrs. Tyson is a true woman of class who wouldn’t want anything to do with the likes of you either.” His voice was low and deep. The image of his fist slamming into the prick’s face brought a smile to his lips.

  One day.

  He turned on his heel and stalked behind his charge. Cursing filled the air behind him. He didn’t bother turning around.

  Lewis hadn’t uttered a word that Country didn’t know. Lewis may be an ass, but he was right about one thing.

  Jazz was too good for Country.

  He had been hired on during a time where there was tension surrounding Denton Tyson’s business dealings. There had been threats against him and his pregnant wife.

  That was when Mr. Tyson had hired Big Country.

  Country, a former soldier in the U.S. Army, was a weapons and hand-to-hand combat specialist. He’d been honorably discharged and when he’d come home from serving he was able to get odd jobs here and there using his size and training. He’d held jobs from consultant for weapons companies to nightclub security before landing this job. He was paid top dollar, but it still wasn’t anything near the billions the Tysons sat on.

  They made their way to the front of the mansion. Waiting on the curved driveway were a couple of dark sedans with a black limo in the front of the line.

  Jazz’s footsteps were determined, and her hips swung in the most mesmerizing way. Her round ass was highlight by the fitted dress. She arrived at the limousine first and turned his way.

  His breath escaped him as if someone had slammed a bat against his chest. Her dark eyes were fiery and met his, and if looks could kill, Lewis would be pushing up daisies.

  “Who the fuck does he think he is?” she muttered.

  He bit back a smile. Jazzy may be a classy lady, but she could curse like a sailor.

  “Don’t let him rattle you,” he replied, coming to stand by her side.

  Jazz tilted her head back to meet his gaze. She nodded and blew out a breath before looking around.

  An unladylike snort released from her. “That fucker is not riding with me.”

  He didn’t have to be told twice. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Jazz stepped toward the open door and smiled. It didn’t reach her eyes, and alarms went off in the back of his mind.

  “Thanks, Charlie.”

  His heart raced.

  He didn’t like the thought that she was angry or that Lewis was bothering her. She was already under a lot of stress.

  It had always been his job to ensure she was safe. She was his mission, and it was one he took seriously.

  He moved to block her view behind him. She wouldn’t have to worry about her late husband’s friend.

  What Jazz wanted, Jazz got.

  Simple as that.

  Why?

  The minute Country had first gazed into Jazz Tyson’s beautiful brown eyes three years ago, he was a goner.

  Yup, Big Country had fallen head over heels in love with his boss’s wife. He may be a hardened warrior, but that didn’t take away his good ol’ country roots.

  He knew he couldn’t offer much for her, but that was okay. He was just as happy to be in her presence than not at all.

  “No problem, ma’am.” He waved her inside the vehicle.

  She ducked down and slipped in. He turned to signal to the other drivers they’d be pulling off in a second.

  “Move, Country. I’m riding with Jazz,” Lewis said, arriving at his side.

  “No, you’re not. Mrs. Tyson has requested privacy at this time.” Country met the furious gaze of Lewis.

  “But…I have—”

  “There is room in the car behind us. You can ride in that one, or I can call a private car for you,” Charlie offered. He wasn’t budging from his position in front of the open door.

  “Fine.” Lewis stalked away to the car behind them.

  Denton’s brother, Silas, and his girlfriend were in that car. The door opened, and Lewis tossed one last glare to Country then disappeared into the car.

  Country moved to shut the door but paused at Jazz calling his name.

  “Charlie, ride with me?” she asked.

  He bent down and met her gaze. Her wide eyes drew him in and, as always, he could never tell her no.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He straightened and nodd
ed to the driver behind them before his eyes met the pissed-off ones of Lewis.

  Country smirked, releasing the button of his suit jacket. He tossed a wink Lewis’s way and slipped inside with Jazz, shutting the door.

  Country leaned forward and tapped on the partition twice to signal it was time for them to go, then settled back in his seat.

  The luxury vehicle was roomy enough to let him stretch his legs out a bit. He’d never ridden in the back of the limo. Normal protocols had him riding with the driver, Dan. The car rocked as it pulled off and headed toward the long driveway that led to the street.

  Now that Mr. Tyson was gone, it looked liked the missus was creating a new rule.

  “Are you comfortable?” Her soft voice broke through the silence.

  He glanced over at her, finding her attention on him. He gave her his infamous lopsided grin. “I’ll make do. These vehicles aren’t made for the likes of me.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” She tilted her head to the side with confusion on her face.

  “Nothing. I just meant these vehicles are usually designed for people of average height.” He topped out at six-feet-five inches and was used to having most things adjusted. “But let’s not worry about my comfort, Jazzy. How are you holding up?”

  “I can’t believe he’s gone.” Her voice was just above a whisper, but he heard her. She turned and gazed out her window. The trees that lined the driveway to her private estate flew past.

  He didn’t know what to say that would bring comfort to her. Over the years, they had grown to be close friends, but they’d never let on to Mr. Tyson. Had he known how close they were, he would have gotten rid of Country. Mr. Tyson didn’t like anyone getting too close to his wife.

  Hell, Country didn’t blame him.

  Jazzy was breathtakingly gorgeous. Her caramel skin, thick, long dark hair, and her curves—