Conceal a standalone nov.., p.1
Conceal: A Standalone Novel, page 1
Conceal: A Novel
Ava Harrison
Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Epigraph
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Epilogue
Preview Of Entice
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Ava Harrison
Copyright
Conceal: A Novel
Copyright © 2019 by Ava Harrison
Published by AH Publishing
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, including photocopying, recording or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locations is entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products, brands, and/or restaurants referenced in the work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Conceal: A Novel
Cover Design: Hang Le
Model: Chad Johansson
Line Edit: Lawrence Editing, www.lawrenceediting.com, editing4Indies
Proofreader: Marla Selkow Esposito, My Brother’s Editor, Gemma Woolley
Formatting: Champagne Formats
Dedication
Dedicated to all the girls who grew up thinking they needed a knight to save them. That sword looks better in your hands.
Epigraph
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.
-Aristotle
Chapter One
Jaxson
Nothing like dinner with the family. This is definitely not how I typically plan to spend my Friday night, but when Grayson calls, you drop what you’re doing and go. Because what my brother wants, my brother gets. This includes, but sure as hell is not limited to, family dinner.
For our starting course, we’ll have a lecture about how much Grayson and Addison have done for the family and company. And for the main entrée, a three-hour dissertation on what a fuckup I am.
When you’re me, that fate is inevitable.
Since I don’t need a reminder from my brother to show up, I head uptown to his and River’s apartment.
Traffic is in my favor today, so it doesn’t take me long, and before I know it, I’m riding the elevator up to his penthouse apartment that occupies the whole top level of the building we own.
We.
Price Enterprise.
Addison, my sister, has an apartment similar to this one. Not me, though.
I hate this area.
No. I live downtown in a converted loft space in Tribeca. It’s a far cry from the view of Central Park my brother has, but it’s more my speed.
This uptight building is my worst nightmare. I need space, and most of all, I need privacy. It works well for Grayson, though. With its high ceilings and modern feel, it easily reflects his personality.
Here in his fortress, he sits on top of the world like the king. Because that’s what Grayson Price is . . . a king, and I, a mere jester.
It hasn’t always been this way, though. Don’t get me wrong, Grayson has always had a stick up his ass, but it’s grown since my father died. He feels the need to fill shoes that were never meant to be filled.
What he doesn’t realize is that he can never be Dad. The man was a legend, not only in the boardroom but also at home.
He was always there, no matter how many hours he worked, and missed nothing. My biggest regret in life was not appreciating it. As the youngest child by five years, I always had a large chip on my shoulder because no one was around to play with me.
I always thought my father was too busy with my siblings to care about me. But hindsight is twenty-twenty and now that he’s gone, I understand I was wrong, and it was just an illusion in a young kid’s mind.
Unfortunately, this revelation came too late, as I spent the greater part of my youth acting out to get attention, which is why, years later, I’m still trying to prove that I’ve grown up.
Like now, rushing to get here early to be taken seriously.
Lucky for me, the ride doesn’t take long, and the next thing I know, the elevator opens into the modern space of their apartment.
Even by my standards, it’s large, which says a lot, seeing as I grew up on a compound. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the park. Stainless steel appliances, black cabinets, and dark floors complete the look.
Fuck, this place is sterile.
Surgery could be performed here, and you wouldn’t even need to disinfect.
Maybe surgery to remove the stick.
His apartment is killer. Too bad the location sucks. Because as much as it’s a beautiful view, it’s not worth having to deal with the people who live nearby.
People like my brother.
People who look down their nose at me because I’m more comfortable wearing jeans than a three-piece suit.
“Jax, you’re here.”
I get out of the elevator and walk into the apartment. My brother is already standing there, arms crossed, head cocked, looking at me with an eyebrow raised.
Perplexed is more like it. I’ve shocked him.
Because not only am I here at this impromptu dinner, but I’m also early.
Good. I like to shake things up.
Keep them guessing.
“I am,” I respond in my typical, smug as shit attitude.
Now with that observation out of the way, I cross the space between us and give him a nod before turning my attention to River sitting on the couch.
They are cute together. Where he’s hard, she’s soft. Two opposing qualities but when put together, they complement each other. I guess the saying is true—opposites attract.
But in this case, River and Grayson as a couple are quite the paradox. She’s like sunshine, and he’s like rain, but in the end, I guess they make a rainbow.
“So,” I start, letting my lip tip up, “when are you getting married already?”
River is by far my favorite sibling, even if she isn’t my sister yet. The faster we can fix that, the better. She grounds Grayson. She makes him lighter and easier to deal with. Sure, he’s still a bastard sometimes, but he’s at least tolerable half the time now.
“We only got engaged a few months ago.” She laughs, playing with the blue diamond on her left ring finger. I’m not sure what that’s all about, but it’s cool and unique. It’s different like her. Like River.
“Mom’s coming too.”
That makes my brow lift, and I turn to my brother. “Does this mean you’re planning the wedding? Finally,” I add.
“Yes. It does,” Grayson says, his voice still tight. It’s as if we’re talking about a board meeting and not his future nuptials.
How hard would it be for him to smile? Is he this uptight all the time? I wonder if he’s like this in the bed—nope. Not going to go there.
“About time,” I respond, and as if on cue, the elevator opens again, making me turn my head to see who’s arrived now. This time, Addison, Oliver, and my mom make their way into the apartment.
I watch as they walk toward me. Addison looks beautiful as always. She’s dressed more casually than I’m used to, wearing black leggings, a sweater dress, and boots, but as she rarely comes into work these days, I shouldn’t be that surprised. There’s no need for a pantsuit if you’re not in the office.
Her hand rests on her rounded belly.
My older sister is starting to show.
Her face glows with happiness.
Grayson stands and walks over to her, wearing a smile on his face.
My brother appears to be excited. I can’t help but be a little jealous.
T
Once Grayson has stepped away, my mom is the first to hug me and then my sister. Oliver greets me with an outstretched hand. Polite like an English gentleman, but seeing as he is an earl, I’m not surprised.
“Dinner will be ready in a minute,” Grayson says, gesturing to the dining room.
“You cooked?” I ask my older brother.
“Hardly,” he grunts out as we head toward the table.
“River?”
He shakes his head. “Catered.” He shrugs like this question is ridiculous. To them, it might be, but to me, it’s not. I don’t have staff, nor do I have a cook. Yes, I have a large loft space and a private studio, but that’s only for my “second job.” I need those things to work. But I don’t allow anyone in those places. I can’t risk it.
Apparently, hacking is frowned upon by the United States Government.
We all settle at the table. It appears they’ve placed name cards down on it, which seems stuffy for a family dinner, but something tells me this is River’s first “dinner,” and she wants to impress. That thought makes me smile.
As I approach, I spot my seat beside Oliver’s, clear across the table from my brother. I wonder if that was on purpose. Grayson said he would try harder with me, but seeing as I never see him and rarely speak to him, I know he’s full of shit. And if these seating charts are anything to go by, it only confirms it. My brother hates me. What a dick.
Good thing I don’t care.
Or that’s what I tell myself as I sit down. I’m facing the window with a spectacular view of Central Park. The apartment has an open floor plan, so it’s only a few feet from the living room, the way it’s tucked away makes it feel intimate regardless.
When we’re seated, the waitstaff appears to serve the food, placing plates down in front of each one of us.
I’m not even sure where they were before. It’s like they simply materialized, appearing out of thin air to tend to us. I’ve got to hand it to Grayson and River. They sure know how to entertain.
Even if it’s pretentious as fuck.
I lean back in my chair and enjoy the presentation. After they serve the wine, I pick up my glass and take a sip. I’m about to take another one when my brother clears his throat.
“So, I’m sure you can imagine the reason we are here. With Addison pregnant, we were thinking of putting off the wedding until the spring or summer. After the baby is born.”
“How thoughtful.” She laughs.
“We’ve also been thinking a lot about it, and we’d like to get married in the Hamptons. Addy, will you be okay traveling with a newborn?” He’s facing her now, his eyes soft as he addresses the question.
“Yeah, totally. Depending on when you get married, the baby will be over three months old, so it will be fine. I might be sleep-deprived and exhausted, but I’ll be there.”
River laughs. “Okay, good.”
Grayson then coughs, and I turn my attention back to him.
“I’ll probably be working remotely a lot to help with the wedding planning.” His gaze is on me. The room feels like it’s getting hotter, and the walls are closing in on me.
He’s about to say something. Something that will affect me. He’s about to tell me, there’s no Santa, or worse, Mrs. Claus is a mass murderer. I’m not looking forward to it.
He turns to Addison then, who nods.
“I’ll be traveling back to England soon. My doctor doesn’t want me flying in the third trimester.”
Shit. Where is this going?
“That’s another reason I have called this meeting. I want to discuss hiring someone to manage some of the work you do, Addy. I won’t be around—”
My lungs tighten at his words.
He doesn’t trust me.
He wants to bring in someone to do his job. When Addy stepped back, no one ever questioned Grayson’s ability to handle both their jobs, yet now that I’m up for it, they doubt me.
They don’t think I can do it.
I can.
“I’ll do it,” I cut in, not just because my pride dictates that I fight for my place but also because I don’t want some stranger meddling in my business. Plus, it would be nice to be taken seriously for once.
“Jax—”
The way he says my name makes my blood boil. I lift my hand in the air, stopping him midsentence.
“No. Don’t Jax me. Why would you hire someone else when I’m here, able and willing?” I try to keep my voice neutral, but to be honest, it’s hard because I’m so pissed. Years of buried resentment rises to the surface, bubbling like a volcano ready to erupt.
“It’s a lot of responsibility.” He sounds like Dad, scolding me for coming home too late. But he’s not my father, so it eggs me on even more.
“And I can’t handle it?” I bite back, the anger now clear in my voice.
“Jax.” I hear my name from across the table and turn toward the soft voice. “Gray doesn’t mean that,” Addison says, but it’s too late to calm me down. I push up from the chair.
“He does. He never thinks I can handle anything. Yet who do you all call when you need shit?” I stare at Grayson hard, then turn my attention to Addison. “Me. That’s who.” I shift my gaze to Oliver next, then to River.
Although they haven’t spoken, they are guilty by association, especially since I’ve helped them out too. “Who bails you all out when you need help? Me!” I shout. “So what is it? You say you need me, but now . . . I’m not enough.” My head shakes, and I let out a breath.
“Jax—” Grayson pushes his hand through his hair. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate all your help and all you’ve done for this family, but this is different.” He tries to placate me with his hand, but I’m well beyond that point.
“How so?”
“Meetings. Deadlines. Being at the office by six a.m. some days. Working all night.”
“All things I’ve done for you for free in the past.”
“That might be true, but you do that remotely, God knows where and when. If you help in the office, you have to be in the office. If you travel, it’s not on your time anymore; it’s on the company’s time.”
“I can handle it.”
“You might think you—”
“I said I can handle it.”
“Grayson,” Addison says, and he turns toward her. “Give him the opportunity. I’m okay with it.”
“Fine,” Gray answers. “But—”
“Enough,” I bark because I’m tired of being the clown. I’m tired of no one taking me seriously. No matter how much I do, they keep doubting me, and I’m sick of it. “It’s done. I’m doing it.” I turn toward my mom, who looks pale at my outburst. Remorse fills me, but I won’t back down. I give her a weak and tight smile. She doesn’t deserve my malice. “Bye, Mom.”
I storm toward the elevator and press the button without bothering to say goodbye to anyone else. No one says another word, and as I step on, I keep my back straight and my head held high.
I said my piece, and now I’ll do what I need to do. Because I will prove them all wrong.
Chapter Two
Willow
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The blood rushes inside my veins as the words I heard only moments earlier replay in my ears.
