Revealed by You Read online

  Revealed by You

  Book 2 in the Torn Trilogy

  Jo-Anna Walker

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Revealed by You Playlist

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  EPILOGUE

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  PERFECTED BY YOU

  OTHER BOOKS BY ME

  FIND ME

  Dedication

  I’m dedicating the second part of this trilogy to someone that I miss dearly. I know that she would be so proud of Brett for his strength and growth. Her love for my characters have kept me going even though she’s no longer with us.

  Brenda Smith Travis, you will always be in my heart and thoughts and this book is dedicated to you. Always and forever. You inspire me. You live on in my words that flow from my fingertips.

  Miss you Mama Hen. xx

  Love hard. Love deep.

  Acknowledgements

  First off, I would like to thank You. When I had no faith, You nudged me. While I was doubting myself, You whispered that I could do better. I could be better. At times when I felt like giving up, you pushed someone or something in my path to help me. Guided me along with a helping hand.

  I may not write what everyone approves of but I don’t hide who I am. As soon as the first words flowed from my fingertips, I knew it was my calling. I live to tell a story.

  As this story grows, the spirituality and love strengthens. You need to fall before you can be picked up.

  Without my husband, none of this would be possible. He’s my rock. My one. My only.

  Thank you to my family and friends for constantly supporting me in my journey of writing. I wouldn’t be where I am without each and every one of you.

  My PA. Angie Stanton-Johnson. My FS (inside joke). Your faith in me and my writing is astounding and although I know your heart belongs to Garrith, thank you for allowing a little bit of Brett in there as well. ;)

  To my book club, you all are amazing and special to me. I’m so thankful to have gotten to know you throughout the years.

  Chrissy (C.A. Szarek), thank you for the fantastic blurbs and for the constant support, bestie. I love you!

  My team of awesomeness:

  My girls. My Jems. You know who you are and your constant support is appreciated and I have no words to describe how much you mean to me.

  My beta readers: I can’t thank you girls enough for your critique, encouragement, your constant support. Thank you for helping me make Brett’s second book much better than the first.

  Brenda Wright, my very patient editor. Thank you for everything!! Your patience is awe-inspiring and I will never be able to repay you for all that you do and more.

  To all the blogs out there. There are just too many to name but I love each and every one of you. You all have helped me in your own way and for that, I thank you.

  Angie Stanton-Johnson, Melinda Huff Bones, Brenda Wright, Jennifer Duncan Robbins with Twinsie Talk Book Reviews. You girls are my sisters and I couldn’t do this or the pimpage without you. Thank you for everything for always hosting my tours and for just being you.

  Once Upon a Time Covers: Thank you again for the beautiful and sexy cover!

  And last but surely not least, my readers. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support from all of you. You’re my rock, my light, my constant encouragement to keep going and trudging on. Thank you to everyone for your support and never ending encouragement. Words cannot describe how much you all mean to me.

  Revealed by You Playlist

  Here is a list of songs that reminded me of Brett and Evvie, either together or apart. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Even if you don’t like the music, the words are what captured me and brought me into their world. Now as I listen to them, I think how far Brett and Evvie have become but still have so much to go through before they will finally be happy.

  A deep and powerful love is never quiet, never dormant but loud and fierce. ~ Jo-Anna Walker

  Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify here:

  Revealed by You - Jo-Anna Walker

  Bound to You – Christina Aguilera, Burlesque Soundtrack

  Radioactive – Imagine Dragons

  Unconditionally – Katy Perry

  This is the Best – USS

  Stay – Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko

  What Now – Rihanna

  Adore You – Miley Cyrus

  Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus

  Loving Me 4 Me – Christina Aguilera

  Give Me a Reason – Pink ft. Nate Ruess

  Try – Pink

  I Am – Christina Aguilera

  Mirrors – Justin Timberlake

  Demons – Imagine Dragons

  Say Something – A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera

  I’ll Be There For You – Bon Jovi

  Better Than Me – Hinder

  Bad Things – Jace Everett

  Haunted – Taylor Swift

  What Do You Got? – Bon Jovi

  I’ve Just Seen A Face – Beatles

  *Warning*

  Due to the graphic and adult content, this book is not suitable for a younger reading audience.

  ONE

  People may not believe in love at first sight. The first pull. The first thing that tugs at your heart, leading you to that person. Hell, I definitely didn’t. Not until I met him. My best friend. My lover. Four weeks, three days and eight hours had passed since I’ve seen Brett MacLean.

  The day he left for New York felt like a lifetime ago and I couldn’t wait to see him again. For him to come home. We weren’t living together yet but I spent every day at his apartment, needing to be close to him in some way. Needing his scent.

  Although video chats were a new thing for us, it wasn’t the same. I missed his touch, his hot breath against my skin, him telling me what he wanted and how he wanted it, the dark possessive air about him as he claimed me. Even though he was dark and brooding, demanding and controlling, I gave in willingly.

  Working with Mathis Verlinden, a powerful billionaire that had his hand in everyone’s pocket whether it be legal or not, was good for him. He gave him free rein of his club, Club Rouge, and as long as money was made, everyone was happy.

  My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts as I leaned against the black town car and waited. The airport was bustling with people, heading to or from places but there was no sign of Brett anywhere.

  I frowned when I saw that my oldest brother was calling me. “Hello Evan.”

  He chuckled. “Always so happy to hear from me.”

  “I am. Just not when I know a lecture is coming on.” He was worse than our father. Having three brothers and a dad and being the baby of the family, being myself was not always easy growing up.

  “Now why would you ever think that I would lecture you?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Seriously?”

  “Have you talked to dad?”

  My back stiffened. “No. Why?”

  “He’s going through some changes. Really odd stuff. Like he’s going through man-o-pause or some shit.”

  I frowned. “He’s been through a lot, Ev. A change in life is bound to happen sooner than later.”


  “Just call him or even better, go see him. I know he would love to spend some time with you.”

  “You still staying at his place?” I asked, my stomach clenched at the guilt I felt for not seeing our father in a while.

  “No but I visit often.”

  “Thanks for making me feel way better, jackass.”

  Evan laughed. “Anytime, sis.”

  I shook my head as he hung up and made a mental note to go visit our dad. After his heart attack a couple of weeks ago, I should really have been over more often.

  I sighed. I wasn’t going to let it bother me. Today was a happy day. Brett was coming home.

  Butterflies flew around in my belly and I had to wipe my sweaty palms every so often on my thighs. God, I couldn’t keep still. We talked every night and video chatted as much as we could but I needed more. I always needed more. His touch, his kisses, him telling and showing me how much he loved me.

  The sun glowed in the distance on the unusually warm afternoon. I looked down at myself. Was I dressed okay? The white spring dress was long enough to leave something to the imagination but hugged my curves perfectly. Only having the cotton fabric on me and nothing else, sent a thrill down my spine knowing Brett would approve.

  A heavy sigh escaped my lips and I bent over, putting my blonde curly hair up in a messy bun. The hairs on the back of my neck tingled making my stomach flip.

  I slowly rose to my full height and found Brett standing a few feet away from me. His suitcase in hand, aviator sunglasses on his handsome face and four buttons on his white dress shirt unbuttoned. My stomach flipped, my heart thumping hard against my rib cage at the mere sight of him. God, he was beautiful. Possessive and dominating, dark and sensual. Sex rolled off of him like a cool morning fog.

  He pulled off his glasses, his blue eyes locking with mine. A smug smile formed on his hard chiseled face. A dark line of scruff covered his jaw and I couldn’t wait to lick every inch of him.

  My body bloomed, needing his hands on me after so long but I was frozen. Captivated by his deep blue stare as he stalked towards me.

  He handed the driver his bags and closed the distance between us. He cupped the back of my neck, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. “Hi, my Evvie.”

  Hearing him claim me by just his words, made my insides quiver. “Hi,” I breathed. My heart gave a thump. I swore my insides just turned to mush.

  He smirked and leaned down to my ear. “I missed you.” His lips brushed down the length of my jaw. “I’ve missed your smell. Lavender. Vanilla. Me.”

  My heart thumped hard, pounding in my ears as he held me restrained just by his hand and mouth. I couldn’t move even if I wanted to.

  His fingers brushed down my cheek before capturing my mouth in a hard demanding kiss.

  My lips instantly parted, taking his tongue deep inside me. The feel of his warm lips against mine after all of these weeks ignited something I hadn’t felt in a while. A wanton need spread through me. I gripped his shirt, pulling him against me. More.

  A soft groan erupted from the back of his throat as the kiss deepened. Pushing me up against the side of the town car, his hold on the back of my neck tightened.

  I moaned, sucking and pulling at his tongue.

  He chuckled and released my mouth, trailing kisses down to my ear. “I’ve missed you so much, lover,” he whispered.

  “Hmm…I’ve missed you,” I said, leaning my head to the side.

  “I can’t wait to do nasty dirty things to that hot little body of yours,” he growled in my ear, inhaling deep.

  I bit my lower lip to keep from panting and brushed a hand down his hard chiseled chest.

  His teeth grazed up the side of my neck. “I can’t wait to get you alone.”

  I frowned. We were alo—

  “Brett!”

  I bristled at a feminine voice coming up behind us and looked past him to see a tall slender woman heading our way. She was dressed in black Capri sweatpants and a tight pink t-shirt and although it was casual, she was gorgeous. She looked like one of those women who could wear a burlap sack and still walk down a runway.

  I bit back a snarl and inched closer to Brett. God, what was wrong with me?

  She smiled and waved when Brett looked over his shoulder.

  The woman placed a hand on his arm and kissed his cheek.

  Much to my amazement, Brett only grinned. What the hell? My mouth fell open. Who the fu—

  “Evvie, this is Anna Brinson. Anna, this is Evvie Neal,” he said, motioning between the two of us.

  I didn’t care who she was. Why was she all over my man and why didn’t he introduce me as his girlfriend?

  “Brett, darlin’, you didn’t tell me she was so beautiful.” The dark haired woman grabbed my shoulders and kissed both of my cheeks. Sweet vanilla perfume wafted into my nostrils. A slight British accent coated her words and although I instantly found myself not liking the woman, it was still sexy as hell.

  My stomach clenched. So he did tell her about me. But why the hell didn’t he tell me about her?

  “How do you know each other?” I asked, grabbing Brett’s hand in a firm grip.

  He kissed my forehead and pulled away before walking around the other side of the car.

  I frowned.

  “Oh we go way back. Met in high school, actually,” Anna explained, handing the driver her bags.

  “Were you friends with his sister?” I asked, opening the door.

  Anna blushed. “No.”

  I looked back at Brett.

  He shoved a hand through his short brown hair, his jaw clenching as he opened the door. “Get in,” he demanded.

  Something told me that there was more to their relationship then just friendship. Much more. Realization slapped me in the face. Did he sleep with her?

  I got in the car, Anna following in behind me. Sitting across from them, I stewed over what was happening. I had all of these special surprises planned for him. First one being in this car but since we weren’t alone, that idea flew out the window.

  “You just visiting, Anna?” As much as I wanted to claw her face off, I was trying to be the better person.

  She smiled, her green eyes twinkling. “No. I live here.”

  Of course you do. Why Brett never mentioned her before was beyond me. “How did you guys meet up?”

  “Anna works for Mathis,” Brett said, not removing his gaze from mine.

  “Such a small world when I saw this handsome guy walking into Club Rouge the first day,” she laughed.

  Brett chuckled.

  My gaze danced between them, watching them interact with each other.

  Brett looked my way every so often and as the minutes went by, I became more and more pissed off.

  The two of them talked about work, about Mathis and other shit that I didn’t care to listen to. It may have been childish of me but I wanted him all to myself.

  “Anna’s going to stay at my apartment for a couple of days while hers gets renovated.”

  My head whipped around. What the hell?

  “Is that fine, Evvie?” he asked, his gaze darkening, challenging me to argue with him. Oh I would argue, just not with company around. I was a lady.

  I pasted on a smile. “Oh sure. That’s quite alright. She can stay there forever if she wants to. See if I care.”

  Anna looked between us both. “Okay, well thank you. I promise I won’t be an inconvenience.”

  I ignored her and looked out the window. She already was.

  ***

  As soon as the town car pulled up in front of Brett’s large apartment building, I escaped the confines of the small space. Needing to get away from the beautiful British woman and my boyfriend.

  The way they chatted about anything and everything, made me wonder if they haven’t kept in contact all of these years. Yes I was jealous. I would be the first one to admit it but who wouldn’t be? If it was the other way around, Brett would pound the guys face in.

  Brett lov
es you. I scoffed. I never once questioned his love for me but now, seeing the two of them together when it was supposed to be just him and I, had me wondering what Anna’s motives truly were.

  We reached the elevator across the large lobby and I punched the button leading to the top floor where Brett’s apartment was. I couldn’t believe that he would be living with another woman. They are just friends, Evvie. Just friends. I repeated the mantra over and over in my head and took a deep breath, easing the racing of my heart.

  Laughter boomed behind me and I rolled my eyes and stabbed the button again. The large door opened as Anna and Brett came up behind me and I stepped into the open space. Leaning against the wall, I crossed my arms under my chest.

  “Brett, remember when you told Mathis…” Anna giggled and shook her head.

  Brett laughed along with her. “If the fucker would have given me full control like he said he would in the first place.”

  She placed her hand on his arm. “I am Mathis Verlinden. I know all and see all. I am God’s gift to everyone,” she said, in a fake European accent.

  Now they had inside jokes? Really? My blood boiled. I couldn’t get away quick enough.

  Brett’s smile faltered when he caught my stare. His gaze heated, taking me in.

  Get over yourself buddy. I’m pissed at you.

  The doors opened a moment later and I shoved past them both, stomping down the hall. My head reeled. Did they spend time together in New York? Did she have a boyfriend? Was she after mine? Never experiencing this kind of jealousy before, I didn’t like how it made me feel. I was ashamed of myself. My daddy raised me better.

  I sighed and unlocked the door to Brett’s apartment and headed to his bedroom. Needing to get away, I shut myself in his bathroom. Yes, I ran. Again. But I needed to collect myself. I needed to figure out what the hell just happened.

  Squeezing my eyes shut, I gripped the white counter top until my knuckles ached. After all that we’ve been through, you’d think that this would be nothing but why did I feel like my heart was being ripped from my chest?

  The sound of the door shutting made me startle. I looked up and met Brett’s stare in the mirror.