The Betrayal of Lies (23 page)

“With all the stealing the two of them were doing,” Colin said, “she didn’t think anything of the necklace, except that it had been Elise’s. She did say that he told her not to wear it in public, that someone might recognize it. The two of them were planning to take an extended vacation to the Cayman Islands when the dust settled, and never return. There she could wear it whenever she wanted, he said.”

“But she just couldn’t wait that long, apparently,” Emily added. “Although she didn’t come out and say it, I’m thinking the necklace had a special meaning for her, so she was happy simply knowing she had it on, even if no one else could see it. The day of the funeral, she secretly wore it under her suit jacket because she thought it was safely hidden.”

“That was stupid,” Maggie said.

“I agree,” Emily said. “With it being summer now and her wearing a black suit up to her neck, she must have become too warm, I’m guessing, so she removed her jacket briefly in the ladies room, then scrambled to put it back on when she saw me—but it was too late. She didn’t know then, but I did see it.”

“What do you think the necklace meant to her?” Maggie asked.

“It sounds to me like that necklace represented Russell and Kara somehow prevailing over Patrick and Elise,” Isabel reasoned. “Now they were the ones with all the money in the family.”

“Sure looks that way,” Emily replied.

Maggie sadly shook her head. “Poor Elise. Like they say, money can’t buy happiness.”

“Someone should have told Kara that too.” Colin grimaced. “Russell Gray was all about the money—he was only using her to get to Patrick’s money. Unfortunately, Kara wised up to that fact just a little too late.”

“Listen, girls,” Camille said, taking Maggie’s hand, “tonight we’ll be sad for the loss of Elise and the wonderful person she was. But tomorrow, let’s go back to being thankful for all that we have, including these wonderful men we have sitting beside us. I’m sure Elise would want it that way.”

Camille glanced around the table, looking for agreement from everyone, which she enthusiastically received.

“Here, here!” Alex said, raising his glass, which drew a few chuckles and a short round of applause.

Through the french doors, Emily noticed a small but elegant wedding reception was taking place on the outdoor patio, against a backdrop of wispy aspen and cottonwood trees decorated with tiny white twinkling lights. Faint music from the stringed quartet in the corner of the outdoor space drifted into the private dining room. She watched the bride and groom move toward the center of the patio as a place was cleared for the happy couple to take the floor for their first dance as husband and wife.

“Can you hear that?” she quietly asked Colin.

He tilted his head and listened. “They’re playing our song.”

The tuxedo-clad musicians were playing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” the song Emily and Colin had chosen for their engagement party.

“Must be a sign.” Colin stood and offered Emily his hand. “Would you like to dance?”

Emily looked up at him and smiled. He was so handsome in his tailored black suit and crisp white shirt. She didn’t want to wait until tomorrow, as Camille had suggested, to be grateful for this wonderful man that would soon become her husband.

She took his hand and let him lead her out of the french doors to the patio.

He looked back at the table of friends. All eyes were on them. “I hope no one minds, but Emily and I will be back in a little while.”

The quartet continued to play the song and other wedding guests joined the bride and groom. Colin and Emily skirted the edge of the patio and found their own dance floor in a small secluded corner.

Colin took her in his arms and their bodies began to sway in unison to the beat. She slid her hands over his chest and around the back of his neck, laying her head on his shoulder and snuggling her face in the crook of his neck.

Oh, God, he smells good
. Masculine and musky with a hint of sandalwood.

Relishing the feel of his strong arms around her and the warmth of his body next to hers, her senses came alive. His lips grazed her neck and a fine layer of chill bumps rippled over her body.

“This is how I want it.” She sighed softly. “Simple, yet elegant.” The moment she said it, she remembered that was what Elise had promised her.

“How you want what, Babe?” he asked, humming along with the music as they slow danced, entwined in each other’s arms.

She lifted her head and gazed into his sexy eyes. “Our wedding.”

Colin smiled down at her with an expression of complete adoration. “You can have whatever you want.”

Emily leaned back and pulled her cell phone out of the small clutch bag she still had draped across her body, glad she hadn’t left it at the table.

Colin’s face twisted into a curious expression. “What are you doing?”

“Giving you something you want.” Emily smiled and punched a few keys.

Colin stood and watched with interest as she waited on the line.

The company’s answering machine kicked in since it was after business hours, but Emily wasn’t going to wait a moment longer. This had to be done. She raised a finger to Colin then she began to leave her message.

“Hello, this is Emily Parker, soon to be Emily Andrews. I got a quote from your manager some time ago about removing a sign from my office door.” She paused to smile at Colin. “I’m ready to go ahead and schedule that. Please call me when you get this message and we can—”

Colin took the phone from Emily’s hand and pulled her to him, kissing her ardently.

She tried to mumble something to him, but his lips were pressed so tightly against her own, it came out garbled.

Finally he released her and raised his brows in question. “You were saying something?”

Still breathless from the kiss and wearing a huge smile, Emily managed to point to his hand. “You might want to disconnect the call.”

Colin looked down at the phone, grinned, and clicked it off, handing it back to her. “As the future husband of the soon-to-be Mrs. Emily Andrews, thank you for that.”

As she slipped the phone back into her purse, Colin spun her around and resumed the slow dancing. Shielded by a few twinkling trees, in the far corner of the patio, they were in a world all their own. It didn’t matter that they had just left a passionate recording on the sign company’s answering machine because, at that moment, no one else existed but the two of them. He kissed her slowly and tenderly this time, his lips warm and moist on hers.

“Speaking of that…we really should set a date.” Emily felt as light as the breeze as she swayed to the rhythm. The thought of releasing her past left her inspired and ready to move forward.

“I’m ready whenever you are. Remember, I’m the one who wanted to elope.”

“I’m ready. But we can’t elope. You know our friends and family would never forgive us.” She laid her head against his cheek.

He gently kissed her temple. “You can have the wedding any way you want, just make it soon.”

She gazed up at him. “What do you want?”

“All I want is you,” he said, his voice shimmering with emotion. He kissed her again, then looked deeply into her eyes. “I promise to love you and cherish you, Emily. I hope you know that I would give my life to protect you.”

“I know,” she replied, a smile of contentment spreading on her lips. “I feel the same way.”

His lips were on hers once more, his kiss passionate and irresistible.

“You’re just too good to be true,” she sang to him, though their song was long over. “And I am the luckiest woman in the whole world. I can’t wait to marry you, Colin Andrews.”

She took him by the hand and they returned to their friends, not wanting to intrude on the nearby wedding reception—soon enough, she would have her own first dance with her new husband, and Emily couldn’t wait.

THE END

Afterword

I hope you were as excited and entertained reading
The Betrayal of Lies
as I was when writing it. If you did enjoy the romance and suspense of
The
Betrayal of Lies
, I would like to ask you a favor to go back to Amazon and leave a review. We indie authors live and die by our reviews.

Want more romance/suspense? Just check out the next section!

~*~

Other Works by Debra Burroughs

The Scent of Lies, A Paradise Valley Mystery: Book One

An engaging, fast-paced murder mystery with a sensual, but sweet romance. Think “Sex and the City” meets “Nancy Drew.”

Praise for
The Scent of Lies
…

“The Scent of Lies caught my attention on the first page and kept me engaged until the last. Main character, Emily Parker, is a likable, vulnerable, sassy, hotheaded, smart woman surrounded by loving friends. This cleverly crafted story takes the reader on an engaging romp through hidden clues, romance, crime and murder.”

~ Janis McNutt

Amazon Reviewer

“Debra Burroughs has once again had me addicted to my kindle. I love the characters in this book. They are so real and so likable you want them for your own. Each time I thought I knew who the killer was, there would be some kind of twist to make me question myself. I was rooting for Emily from the beginning. Can she solve this murder and really become the private investigator that she truly wants to be? She proves herself to all of those who doubt her.”

~ Yvonne Havens

Amazon Reviewer

To purchase or sample
The Scent of Lies
, simply click
here
.

~*~

The Heart of Lies, A Paradise Valley Mystery: Book Two

Online dating can be murder.
The Heart of Lies
is a captivating and suspenseful mystery with a healthy dose of real romance.

What people are saying about
The Heart of Lies…

“I enjoyed every page of this book, The mystery draws you in but the relationship between Emily and Colin keeps you wanting more… I can’t wait to continue reading about these characters, and digging deeper into the mystery in Paradise Valley!!”

~ J Douglas

Amazon Reviewer

“This book has proven to be a five-star sequel to The Scent of Lies. Don’t let the author’s clean writing fool you, the passion and sexual tension between Private Investigator Emily and Detective Colin is delicious.”

~ jne2003

Amazon Reviewer

“I loved the characters and the intense story line. I am currently reading book 3. So far I love this author and will be reading more of her books. I can’t wait to find out the outcome of the mystery of Evan.”

~ Natalie Hardie

Amazon Reviewer

To purchase or sample
The Heart of Lies
, simply click
here
.

~*~

The Chain of Lies, A Paradise Valley Mystery: Book Three

A sensual and gripping story with murder, romance, mystery, and intrigue—think “
Sex and the City
” meets “
Women’s Murder Club
”.

Praise for
The Chain of Lies
…

“The book was great! I loved this book the best out of all three!! I sure hope you write another one so we can find out what happens to Collin and Emily and the others. You can’t leave us hanging. I love the characters in this book. You did such a wonderful job when you wrote these books, I felt like I was in the books. Thanks for being such a great writer. I couldn’t put the books down - some of them I read in one day!!”