Passionate Secrets (The Secrets Trilogy Book 2) (28 page)

“That might be the perfect way to keep him safe until all of this...” Her expression darkened at the mention of all that still remained unsettled. “This situation is resolved, and my uncle is stopped.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “We will find him and stop him before he hurts anyone else. But you must promise me to never take such a risk as you did by meeting alone with him. No more secrets between us.”

She kissed the palm of his hand. “No secrets. I promise not to take risks if you promise to do the same.” She gently touched his bandaged arm as she held his gaze.

“I will do my utmost to stay alive. You see, I have much to live for.”

Emma smiled. “We both have so much to live for. Forever and always.” Then she kissed him again. And again.

~*~

Vincent eyed his uncle’s scarred face as he tipped back his drink. “I take it the evening did not go according to plan.”

Uncle Grisby shook his head as he held out his glass to Vincent for a refill of the nasty green absinthe he preferred. “No, it did not.”

Vincent had been waiting with the carriage on the street closest to the garden. His uncle hadn’t wanted Vincent to accompany him so as to keep his survival a secret. Vincent had agreed, for he had no desire to return to prison. Being dead was the best way to accomplish that. His uncle had limped toward him after exiting a side gate they’d found earlier in the day. It had been a simple matter for Vincent to break the lock that had sealed it shut so his uncle could have a quick escape route should the need arise.

And obviously, the need had arisen. Vincent had barely shoved his uncle inside the hackney and clamored atop the thing to flick the reins when shouts could be heard down the street. The horses had jolted forward which had probably sent his uncle to the floor, but that couldn’t be helped. Vincent hadn’t felt the least bit guilty when his uncle had alighted from the carriage with his limp much more pronounced.

“Ye didn’t kill Weston?”

“Nay, nothing life threatening. But now he will take me seriously. He needed to understand what I am willing to risk to see this through.”

Vincent frowned. He already knew his own life would be forfeit if his uncle thought it would aid him. If he wanted to live, he needed to leave soon, but not before he got his hands on some of the money his uncle had squirreled away. He just needed to figure out where the blasted man had stashed it. He refilled his own glass as he watched his uncle drain his again. “So now what?”

His uncle closed his eyes for a brief moment. “I fear I have yet to convince either Emma or Weston of my plan. Somehow, I must try again. I need Weston, Ashbury and Berkmond together on my side as we progress. Their talents will be invaluable.”

“Ye mean the aura bit?” The very idea of such an ability made Vincent shudder.

“Yes. If they can advise me who to trust and who still needs convincing, I will truly be invincible.”

“If Ashbury sees good and evil, and Weston sees success and failure, what does Berkmond see?”

“I have no idea. But I look forward to finding out. My sources tell me he’s already en route to England. I will not allow this evening’s minor setback to sway me from my plan. Soon, all of England will realize my brilliance and thank me for my bold plan.”

Vincent shivered. Funny how the terms brilliance and genius often mingled with crazed. God only knew what the coming weeks would bring.

THE END

Book I of The Secret Trilogy

On Amazon:
http://amzn.com/B00HC1LT6E

On Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HC1LT6E

A Vow To Keep

Book I of The Vengeance Trilogy

On Amazon:
http://amzn.to/19LktiJ

On Amazon UK:
http://amzn.to/15Lac1W

Trust In Me

Book II of The Vengeance Trilogy

On Amazon:
http://amzn.to/197Mphs

On Amazon UK:
http://amzn.to/1886ZK5

Believe In Me

Book III of The Vengeance Trilogy

On Amazon:
http://amzn.to/19Q6UP7

On Amazon UK:
http://amzn.to/13GpgjP

The Vengeance Trilogy
– Boxed Set

All 3 complete novels in one set at a special price

On Amazon:
http://amzn.com/B00IFI3OI4

On Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IFI3OI4

If you liked this book, sign up to find out when the next one is available:
http://www.lanawilliams.net/contactlana.html

If you enjoyed this story, please consider writing a review!

For me, writing is not a solitary endeavor. I’m very blessed to have so many people on my team.

Brad, Brandon, and Jordan: love you always and forever.

Thank you with much gratitude to my amazing, talented critique partners: Michelle Major, Lani Joramo, and Robin Nolet, and to my beta readers, Linda Benning, Lauren Billing and Sarah Billing. I couldn’t do it without your help!

Thank you for reading Passionate Secrets! I hope you enjoyed Michael and Emma’s story!

If you’d like to know when my next book will be available, you’re welcome to sign up for my email newsletter at:
http://www.lanawilliams.net/contactlana.html
, follow me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/LanaWilliamsBooks
or on Twitter at @LanaWilliams28.

Reviews help authors tremendously and also help other readers find books, so please consider leaving a review.

The next book in this trilogy, Shattered Secrets, will be coming in 2015. The first book, Unraveling Secrets, is available now.

More historical romances are in the works! Stay tuned, and thanks again!

Copyright © 2014 by Lana Williams

All rights reserved.

By payment of required fees, you have been granted the
non
-exclusive,
non
-transferable right to access and read the text of this book. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented without the express written permission of copyright owner.

Please Note

The reverse engineering, uploading, and/or distributing of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.

Thank you.