Shadow of Secrets Read online

  SHADOW OF SECRETS

  Book One of the Ignited Secrets Trilogy

  Kacie Clement

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  High Secrets

  About the Author

  1

  On a cold wintry February morning, Emma Graystone stood outside St. John's Cathedral in New York watching as they carried her fiancé Antonio DeLuca in his highly polished burgundy casket inside. Looking at the clouds in the sky, they seemed to fit her mood, gray, heavy, and wet. She did not feel the chill in the air, or the blustery wind as she stood, firmly rooted to the pavement with gently falling snow covering her black designer suit. She still could not believe the circumstances that had brought her here today. She and Antonio were to be married tomorrow, and now she was burying him. Watching as her father, Howard Graystone removed himself from the other side of the limousine, as he walked toward her to escort her into the Cathedral, her eyes filled with tears. Looking up into her father's eyes, she said: "Dad, I don't understand, who would want to murder Antonio?" Howard looking at his daughter, who didn't stand more than five foot two inches tall, her long blond hair blowing in the blustery wind, took her arm saying, "Emma let's go inside, it's time."

  Allowing her father to take her arm and walk her into the cathedral, Emma saw the army of Antonio's father's men surrounding the Cathedral protecting the people inside. Hesitating inside the doorway to the Cathedral, Emma was stunned at the number of mourners that filled the Cathedral to its brim. Carmine DeLuca looked up from his son's casket and saw his friend and business partner Howard entering the cathedral. It never ceased to amaze him that Howard who stood at six foot three with his spiky gray hair and cold, calculating icy blue eyes could have fathered Emma, who inherited those same icy blue eyes that more often held more warmth than ice. She was to marry his son, bond their families together. Emma watched as Carmine started to walk up the aisle towards her, waving his protection team aside. Reaching her, he kissed her left cheek and then her right before saying, "Emma my Bella. I have saved you and Howard a seat in front with the family." Emma nodded her head in acknowledgment. She could not speak; she walked up to the casket to see Antonio laying inside. It almost looked as though he was sleeping and would wake up at any minute. Looking down at Antonio lying there so quietly, and seeing him encased in white satin, her thoughts were screaming, "How could you leave me, Antonio, we had so many plans for our future. Who could have done this to you and why?" Bending slightly, Emma kissed Antonio's forehead goodbye. It was cold; he was not going to wake up.

  Taking her seat next to her father and Vittoria DeLuca, Carmine's sister, she watched as the attendants slowly and quietly closed the casket shut. Emma got through the funeral sobbing thinking that tomorrow they were supposed to be here in this cathedral getting married, she couldn't think of anything else. By the end of the funeral, her head was throbbing, and she felt nauseous. Looking at her father who was quietly talking to Vittoria, she said, "Dad, I don't feel well. I want to go home." Emma felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to find her best friend, Amelia Harris. Amelia, who stood five foot six inches high with shoulder-length beautiful brown hair bent taking Emma in her arms. "Emma, I am sorry." Emma said, "I want to go home, my head is throbbing, and I feel nauseous." Amelia was looking into Emma's eyes filled with pain, "You don't think you can make it through the burial?" Emma, tears flowing from her eyes, said, "No, I cannot watch them bury him in the ground, will you take me home?" Amelia was nodding her head to say yes while looking at Howard Graystone for approval. With a slight nod, Howard squeezed Vittoria's hand in his as he watched Amelia help Emma to the waiting car to take her home. Vittoria looking softly at Howard said, "It will be okay my love, she needs to grieve, and she needs her friend to help her through it. Let's get through the day together." Howard looked at Vittoria with love and whispered, "Thank you," Carmine four feet away talking with a relative saw the exchange between his best friend and sister and shook his head wondering when either one of them would finally tell him they were sleeping together. Turning back to the relative, Carmine with sadness thought today he would bury his son, but tomorrow he will start looking for the man that dared to kill the son of Carmine DeLuca, the head of the DeLuca Crime Family.

  Arriving back at the Graystone Estate in Alpine, New Jersey Emma and Amelia sat in the kitchen while the cook made them a pot of tea. Serving the drink, the cook quietly left the room. Emma was taking a sip of the hot Earl Grey Tea, looked at Amelia with great sadness, and said, "When did I become so naïve? Antonio promised me he had nothing more to do with his family's business. Dad told me a random killer murdered Antonio, and I know that is not true. I know my dad and Carmine both know what happened." Amelia was filling her croissant with raspberry jam, and asked: "Emma, what do you think happened?" Emma sadly looked at her best friend across the table and replied, "I think Antonio was doing work for his father and something went wrong. I think my dad knew he was taking this trip a week before our wedding to handle a so-called business concern." Taking another sip of her tea, Emma stood and walked to the patio doors that overlooked the gardens now covered in a light coating of snow. Looking out among the landscape she so loved, she said, "Do you think Antonio loved me or was it all just a scam to bind our father's businesses together? How could I not know he was working for his father at the same time he was working for my father? I can't stay here any longer. I have got to find a way out; my father is done running my life."

  Amelia walked over to Emma, gently placing her hand on Emma's shoulders said quietly, "I believe Antonio loved you, Emma, but this is how your lives have been since birth. Your dad means well, but he protects you from the world sweetie. Remember, in our dorm room at college, and that drunk guy across the hall tried to break down our door?" Emma gently smiled at the memory. "Yes. You opened the door and told him to either stand back or face the wrath of Amelia and slammed the door in his face. You scared him so bad he fell down the stairs knocking out two of his teeth and breaking his arm. He wouldn't even look at us after that." Squeezing Emma's shoulders gently, Amelia said, "He didn't fall down the stairs, Emma. Your security man did that.

  Emma stunned turned to face Amelia angrily, "Security man? What the hell are you talking about?" Amelia looking serious said "Emma, we spent four years in the dorm as roommates. But the dorm counselor, Bobby? He worked for your father and Carmine. He wasn't a real student. He was your protector. When you honestly believed Bobby's story on how that drunk guy fell down the stairs was when I realized you had no idea what was going on and that is when I did the research of your family and found the connection with the DeLuca family." Emma looked at Amelia tears filling her eyes, "Why didn't you tell me? Were they paying you to be my friend?" Amelia smiled, saying, "They couldn't pay me enough. We’re besties for life, there isn't enough money in the world to put a value on that. I didn't want you to be hurt, I just figured one day you would figure it out, but I am so sorry Emma, you are just now figuring everything out in this way."

  Whispering Amelia said: "I love you, Emma, why don't we get you settled in your room, get you some aspirin, and you rest for a bit." Emma, feeling deflated, replied, "Yes, I need to sleep." Amelia helped Emma change and settle into her sizable king-sized bed, giving her a few aspirins and water. She kissed Emma gently on
the forehead and said, "Sleep now, Emma, tomorrow is a new day, a new start. I love you, friend." Emma smiled and rolled over on the bed, saying, "Thank you, Amelia, I love you too." Amelia gently closed the door behind her as Emma fell fast asleep.

  Four weeks later, Emma awoke to a room filled with sunshine, she woke up again feeling like the walls were closing in on her. Today she was beyond angry. Quickly showering, Emma dressed in a pair of tan dress pants covered with a buttery colored silk blouse. Standing in front of the full-length mirror while pulling her long blond hair up into a ponytail Emma said to herself in the mirror, "I am going to make a difference in the world, for the right reasons and one without greed and corruption." Turning and walking toward her bedroom door, she felt ready to confront her father over breakfast. He had some explaining to do.

  Emma entered the kitchen where her father Howard Graystone was quietly sipping his first cup of coffee looking over the days stock market predictions. She admired his athletic build and spiky gray hair and wondered if he ever combed it. At that moment, Howard looked up to see Emma standing at the kitchen doorway. Smiling, he said, "Emma, you are up early this morning, come have coffee with me."

  Emma crossed her arms, raising her voice said: "We're going to be doing a lot more than drinking coffee. You have a lot of explaining to do." With that, she picked up a coffee cup and slammed it on the table, "Dad, how could you do this to me? Why did you not tell me Antonio’s trip was handling businesses for his father? I am twenty-eight years old dad; I am old enough to know the truth. As it stands now Dad, the bonding of the families is not coming through me, and you will have to find another way".

  Howard running his hand across his spiky gray hair in exasperation said, "Now Emma just pour yourself a cup of coffee, and we can talk about this." "Talk?" She shrieked, "Are you insane? You control every aspect of my life, the only thing you have never been able to control is who my college roommate was, and I still haven't figured out how you didn't do that. I grew up with Antonio, he was my only friend, I loved him, and I was supposed to marry him, Dad, what secret are you and Carmine keeping? Did you think I wouldn't find out what your plan was the whole time?" Shaking with rage, and taking a deep breath, she continued, "To marry Antonio and bind us with the DeLuca Crime Family? How could you do this to me, did you and Carmine plan this when we were children? How many more secrets are you keeping dad?"

  Running his hand through his hair, Howard attempted to calm her down. "Emma, listen to me. I know you are angry. I want the best for you and your life. I am your father, and fathers are supposed to love and protect their daughters, I protect you, Emma. Antonio was another step in protecting you from the outside world and securing your future financially. That is what a good father does. I have never kept anything from you, Emma, nothing that would ever jeopardize your future and your safety".

  Frustrated, even more, Emma responded with resolve, "No dad, that is not what fathers do, they raise their daughters to be able to make their own lives, their own decisions and you have not done that. I'm not listening to your excuses anymore. I'm going upstairs to pack".

  Howard stood calmly, facing Emma, saying, "Tell me, Emma, how will you survive without me. You leave this house, and I will not allow you to take one dime from your trust fund, and who is going to buy those designer suits you love? The last one was five thousand dollars and didn't include the three pairs of shoes that went with it." Howard's eyes turned cold as ice as he sternly said, "Sit down, Emma, I think I have the perfect solution to this problem for you." Emma had never heard that tone of voice directed at her, and her father rarely raised his voice to her. She sat down at the table and lowered her head as she stirred her coffee, blinded in tears.

  "Emma, listen to me, I understand you're upset, but things happen in life that are not in your best interests to see. I protect you from seeing those things because I love you. If you feel you need to take a break, I have a new project on deck at Matrix International. I think you may be interested in." Continuing Howard began to tell Emma about the upcoming project.

  "A company called Green Touch Renewables is implementing a renewable energy project in Flagstaff, Arizona. The project consists of a 25-turbine wind farm on the Navajo Reservation, that will provide electricity and running water to over 15,000 families that currently live without them, not to mention the new jobs it will provide and the bonus of boosting their economy. They are looking for a project consultant to oversee the project. I think you are just the person for that job. I will not put up with this attitude of yours of late. I think it’s high time you learn to be on your own. I think it's just the kind of project you are looking for, a what do you call it? A do-good project? I will set up a penthouse suite for you and open an account for expenditures".

  Shocked, Emma looked up at her father. She needed an escape to a new life, a fresh start, living her life her way, and a life only on her terms. Emma asked, " When does it start?" Smiling Howard replied, "A week from Monday, so you will have to leave Thursday to get settled into the penthouse before your first day. You should probably start packing, so we have time to ship your multiple boxes of clothes to Flagstaff." Emma walked around the table to embrace her father. "I am sorry, Dad, and I do love you, thank you for understanding, thank you for letting me go. I won't let you down!" They shared their breakfast, talking about the warm spell that was coming their way to New Jersey.

  As Emma rushed up the staircase, Howard sat back down at the table. Looking at the door, Emma just swept through, and he shook his head while thinking he just dodged a bullet, hoping that this was the right move and that Emma would come to her senses. Howard began to reminisce; his wife Christine should be here to handle this girl. Suddenly overwhelmed with pain, he remembered the promise made to his wife as she lay dying in childbirth, he would protect their daughter. Looking at Emma is like looking at his beloved Christine. She looks exactly like her except she has his eyes. Emma is all he has left of the love of his life, and he will keep his promise. Taking a deep breath, he picked up the paper to continue his study of the that day's stock market predictions, thinking to himself, with my investment in this project I should be able to track her movements and keep her safe from herself.

  Emma raced up the staircase to her bedroom, throwing the door open, "Where is my cell phone, I must call Amelia." Looking around the room, she starts digging through the pile of clothes on her bed finds her cell phone and quickly dials Amelia.

  "Emma? Is everything okay?" Amelia asks when she answers the phone. "Absolutely!" Emma responded, " I am moving to Flagstaff next Thursday, and I could use some girlfriend advice from my best friend, the big international corporate attorney." she laughs. "What shall I pack?"

  Amelia holds her phone out to look at it, confused, "You're moving to Flagstaff? Slow down, Emma, why are you moving to Flagstaff?" Emma proceeds to tell her all about the project and how it will help the Navajo people and what her role will be. Biting her lower lip in thought, she continued, "Amelia, this is what we have always talked about, doing projects that will make a difference in the world for all the right reasons. My dad is going to set me up with a penthouse and generous expense account, and I can begin life on my terms! Maybe this is just what I need to get away from my dad, and away from the memories of Antonio. I will be free to live my own life, do a job I will enjoy, make a difference; it's the perfect opportunity for me!"

  Amelia being careful with her response remembering how impulsive Emma could be, said, "Emma the project sounds great. With your loss of Antonio, a new start sounds like it's just the thing you need right now. But I want you to think about this, is this project giving you the freedom you want? Control of your own life? Your dad is setting you up with a penthouse and an expense account. What are you doing for yourself?" There was a long moment of silence. Amelia continued. "Emma, are you there? " Emma finally spoke asking, "Amelia, what should I do?"

  Amelia knew this was just the thing Emma needed to get out from under her father, excitedly asked:
"Emma, didn’t you gain control of your mother’s trust fund your Uncle Mark set up for you?" Quizzically, Emma responded," Yes, when I turned twenty-five. Why?" Amelia, with a wide grin, said, "Listen, Emma, if you want to be independent and live life on your terms, then I have some ideas, are you ready to hear them?"

  With both a sudden feeling of fear and possibility, Emma responded: "I think so, what exactly do you have in mind?" Amelia laughed while saying, "Great, I have some friends in Flagstaff." I am sure we can find you a furnished apartment of your own." Emma blurted out, "An apartment? Really? My father would never give me an expense account if I did that." Laughing, Amelia continued, "Oh Emma, you have the control of your mother's twenty-five-million-dollar trust fund. Here's what we can do together, to take you into a new world of independence girlfriend. I will find you an apartment, all you need to do, is go to the bank. You must do this the day you leave and not before then. As your best friend and your top-notch attorney, I can open you a new bank account in the Cayman Islands. You can withdraw your mother's trust fund and have your Uncle Mark transfer the money to your new account. Take no more than nine thousand in cash, get on that plane, and go start your life."

  Emma looked at her phone in disbelief. She shrieks, "Are you insane, my father will go ballistic, and he will lock me up forever." Laughing even harder, Amelia said, "Oh, Emma quit being so dramatic, your twenty-eight years old, you're an adult, you will be living in your apartment, with your intended financial future, making your own decisions, what can he really do?"