Love Conquer Read online

  Contents

  Books by Cary Hart

  Readers Note

  Dedication

  Playlist

  Prologue

  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

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Epilogue

  What’s Next?

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Love Conquer (Battlefield of Love Series, #3)

  Copyright © 2018 by Cary Hart.

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The author has provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publically available in anyway. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the author right away at: [email protected].

  Cover designed by Mary Ruth of Passion Creations

  Editing provided by Dani Hall of DMH Editing Services

  Book formatting provided by Juliana Cabrera of Jersey Girl Design

  ISBN: 978-1984126689

  First Edition: February 2018

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Battlefield of Love Series

  Love War (Battlefield of Love Series, #1)

  Love Divide (Battlefield of Love Series, #2)

  Love Conquer (Battlefield of Love Series, #3)

  Imperfect Love Series Kindle World

  Hostile Fakeover

  SHVKW The Forever Series

  Building Forever

  Saving Forever

  Broken Forever

  Chasing Forever (Coming Spring 2018)

  Readers Note

  WARNING: This book contains reference to sensitive matter. Especially physical and emotional abuse. Though these references are brief, they do happen within the pages of Love Conquer, and may trigger victims of such violence – please be aware of the contents and read with caution.

  Brittany

  This book is just as much yours as it is mine.

  Thank you for taking this journey with me and for “calming me the f*ck down!”

  #coffeesaveslives

  Listen on Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2qZk1gV

  Praying by Kesha

  Go Your Own Way by Lissie

  The Other Side by Ruelle

  War of Hearts by Ruelle

  Don’t Wanna Love You by Colbie Caillat

  Weapons by Mark Diamond

  Kindly Calm Me Down by Meghan Trainor

  Monsters by Ruelle

  Fall Harder by Fractures

  Dusk Till Dawn by Zayn & Sia

  I’ll Survive You by BC Jean

  Shine by LOLO

  Bruises by Lewis Capaldi

  Slow Motion by Matt Wertz

  I Would Die 4 U by Noah Guthrie

  Nina

  When do the words “I’m sorry” mean nothing? His words hurting more than his touch? What happens when leaving is harder than staying?

  Fear.

  The lines between right and wrong have become so blurred…but accepting who you’ve become is not an option.

  Shame.

  Escape is the only way to fight back.

  Hope.

  “Miss?” A scratchy voice brings me out of my fog. “You gettin’ in or not?” the driver from the taxi service demands.

  “Huh? Oh, I-I umm…I don’t know.” My eyes scan the vehicle as realization sets in. This is it. I don’t have another choice. Uber? Out of the question. He could track me. The bus services? I would have to show my ID. This is my only way out.

  “I don’t have all night.” He leans forward, eyeing me through the rolled-down window of the taxi that has seen better days. Rusted and worn.

  “I’ll pay you. Just give me a minute, please…” I cut off the driver. “If you leave, I’m not sure if…” My voice trembles as I search for the words I need to say, but can’t get out. Shaking it off, I take a deep breath, exhaling a plea, “Please, don’t leave me here.”

  Settling back in his seat, he slides the seatbelt over his chest, and I hear the sound of metal popping into place, securing my fate.

  He’s going to leave.

  One hand on the wheel, the other reaching to power up the window. Panic starts to set in. This was my last chance. If I stay…

  Fight, Nina. Fight!

  “Hey!” I shout taking a couple of steps forward, slapping my hand over the window.

  “You break it, you pay for it. Got it?” He seems more irritated than pissed.

  “I’m sorry. I just need to…” I lean in, silently begging for a minute.

  “Oh shit!” His voice raises an octave, something I’ve heard one too many times. “Girl, what happened to you?” The driver is now concerned.

  Never hesitating, excuse mode always on, I pull the hood back over my head. It must have fallen down while I was trying to stop him. “Nothing. Just a run-in with a wall.” I cover the bruise that is more purple than black and laugh. “Clumsy as hell.” I turn, ashamed at the lies that are so easily spoken.

  “If you say so.” His hands grip the steering wheel a little tighter and he forces a smile across his face. “Alright kid, ten minutes.”

  “Thanks.” I lower my head and back away.

  I look over my shoulder, the house I tried to make a home, out of sight. Nothing but streetlights and dark skies.

  I tried to be the person he wanted but something changed, and for once I realize it wasn’t me. What happened, it’s not my fault.

  So, why does it hurt?

  Tilting my head back, I close my eyes, taking in the crisp air of the night, and ask for the strength to say goodbye to the life I thought I wanted. The one that destroyed me, killed my soul.

  I don’t want to forget. Forgetting means forgiving, and that means staying.

  I can’t.

  I won’t.

  This is my new reality. I have no choice but to leave.

  Survival.

  Throwing my bags over my shoulder, I head toward the taxi. The driver is already out and popping the trunk.

  “I just have these two.” I throw one bag at a time in the backseat. “It’s all I got.” Those words speak more truth than I’m willing to admit.

  “Well, I guess we are ready to go.” He slams the trunk and hops back in.

  “I guess so,” I whisper and slide into the car next to my bags.

  Adjusting the mirror, he glances at me; a look of understanding is there, but brief. Reaching down, he zeros out the meter. “This ride is on me.”

  “I can’t…”

  “Yes, you can and you will. No questions asked.” He nods. “You got it?”

  I
want to tell him how thankful I am, but I can’t. So, I just nod.

  “It’s a three-hour drive. I can be there a little under.” He reaches over to the passenger’s seat and rummages around in a bag. “Here it is.” He tosses a flannel throw blanket back to me. “Get some rest. You look like hell.” He puts the car into gear and we head to the one place I know I will be safe.

  “No! Please stop.” I freeze, afraid to run. The last time I tried to escape, he accidently pushed me too hard and I fell down a small flight of stairs, breaking my foot. “Brandon, I-I can explain.”

  “How do you think you can explain two thousand dollars missing from our savings account?” He holds up the bank statement, too close for me to read. His hands tremble from the anger I know he holds inside.

  “I signed up for some classes,” I whisper.

  “Classes? Classes! Why in the fuck do you think you need to take classes? For what?” He throws the papers in my face. “You gonna leave me? Is that what you’re doing?” He paces the floor. “That’s it, isn’t it?”

  “Brandon, no! I promise. You know how I have always wanted to do interior des—” I start to say as I move closer to him, hoping if I can just get him to see me, he will come back.

  Swinging around, he shouts, “Interior design? Interior fucking design? You spent the money on learning to paint?” His hands are in his hair, yanking, before he turns from me and knocks the lamp off the end table. His chest is rising and falling quickly. The beast is in there, ready to come out.

  “Brandon…please…” I put my hand on his shoulder to show him I’m here to stay.

  “What?” He turns, placing his hand on top of mine before he grabs my wrist. Squeezing in between the vice grip of his thumb and fingers, he brings it back to my side. “That money was to cover the bill for your broken foot.” He steps forward, right on to my bare foot, his steel-toe boot digging deep.

  “I have till next week to drop out, I’ll get it back.”

  “Is that how you think it works? Really? How stupid are you? You can’t get a refund.” His eyes are void of emotion, a wicked smirk plastered on his face. “Get on your knees,” he orders.

  “Wh-what?”

  “You’re going to pay me back.” He nods to the floor.

  “Brandon…”

  “Now!”

  “Kid, wake up! Hey, you need to wake up.” I feel a hand on my arm and jerk away in fear. “Aw hell, kid.”

  “I’m sorry. I-I…I was having a bad dream.” I sit up straight, suddenly realizing we are on the side of the road. “Ummm…”

  “Don’t worry, you’re safe. I’m sorry I touched your arm like that, I just couldn’t get you awake. I was a little freaked.” He turns back around, only looking at me through the rearview mirror. “I figured whatever happened, you would want a minute to gather yourself before we get to where you are going.

  “Umm, yeah, thanks.” I run my hands over my face. Clearing my thoughts, but mostly to hide from the embarrassment.

  “We are just around the block. You ready?”

  “Sure.” Am I?

  “Hey kid…” He throws his arm over the back of the seat and turns. “Are you sure you, this is where you want to go?” His eyes soften. “Cause I can take you somewhere…safe.”

  “Nina.”

  “You got it. I just need her house number.” He turns back around, ready to enter the numbers into his GPS.

  “No, my name, it’s Nina.” I hold out my hand, “and…”

  “Benny. My name is Benny and you…” He faces me and takes my hand, giving it a soft squeeze. “Need to talk to someone. Just promise you will talk to someone. I have daughters…if they looked—”

  “I will,” I cut him off. I can’t deal with this. Not now. I’m here and that is all I can do.

  “Okay.” He breaks the contact and swings his door open and gets out. I watch him open the back door and grab my bags.

  “I got those.” I jump out and run around to his side of the car, grabbing the bags from his hands. “You have already done so much.”

  “I’m not leaving. Not until I see you make it in okay.” He crosses his arms and leans back on the rusted, beat-up cab.

  “I’m fine…”

  “It’s 4 a.m. Not fine.” He smiles, waiting for my reaction.

  “Ohhhh, well, maybe just until they answer the door.” My smile is weak. “Benny, thank you.”

  “Don’t even mention it.” He winks.

  Turning toward the house, I adjust the bags on my shoulders and take a small step, then another, and another. Each one is easier than the last. I drop the bags and take off running toward the door. The desperation overcomes me. The shadows are too close. I jiggle the handle, pounding on the door, needing to be freed.

  “Who in the hell…” I hear her before I can see her. The door swings open. “Nina?”

  Falling into her arms, I know everything will be okay. This is where I belong.

  Safe.

  Nina

  Feeling the warmth of the sun kissing my face, I pull the covers up to hide for just a few more minutes. Sulking in bed is my new favorite pastime. Hiding behind the room-darkening shades…

  “Hey!” I throw the covers off and quickly sit up. I see my sister, Niki, curled up on the chaise lounge in the corner. Knees to her chin, her sweater pulled over, and of course a freshly brewed cup of coffee snuggled between her hands.

  Shrugging her shoulders, she brings her favorite mug to her lips and downs it. Typical Niki. She doesn’t care how hot, what kind or how it’s prepared. Sipping coffee is for “weak-ass bitches” — her words, not mine.

  “You know, you are way more than a coffee whore right now.” I point at her. “How about you close the curtains on your way out?” I fall back into the pile of pillows, ready to wait her out. I keep my eyes focused on the ceiling, avoiding her stare. If I stay just like this, she will eventually have to leave to get ready for work.

  Okay bad plan. The sun, it’s too bright and my skin feels like it’s on fire. How in the hell do dogs stand lying in this crap? Turning my head to the side, I blink a few times and rub the warm spot on my face.

  9:36 AM

  She’s late. I turn back toward her and our eyes meet.

  Not saying a word, she untangles her legs from her sweater and stands, just looking at me. I’ve seen this expression too many times in the past month. Placing the mug on the dresser, she takes the few steps she needs to be at my side. “Nina…”

  Here it comes. The lecture she gives me every morning. “Nina, you need to either get up and talk about what happened or do something about it.”

  Feeling the bed dip, I roll over to defuse the bomb for one more day, “Niki, please. Just a little more time. I promise, I’m dealing the only way I…Niki?”

  This isn’t the bomb. This is something more. Something I haven’t seen since our parents’ funeral. Niki crying. Silent tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know how to help you. Every day I try, and each day you say you are dealing the only way you know how, but you aren’t. I’m losing you, Nina.” Her soft hands cradle my face. “You are the only family I have left. You can’t leave me. You got it? I need you to snap out of this. I need you to talk to me…please.”

  My sister, the strongest woman I have ever known, sassy and fierce, a force to be reckoned with, is breaking down and it’s my fault. Niki Sanders is as strong and confidant as they come, but right now, she’s desperate. Desperate for me to let her in, but even though I’m seeing her like this, I’m not sure if I can.

  “Did you call off work because you were worried about me?” Of course, she is worried. My life for the past three years has been a total lie. Even the good times we had, in the beginning, were fake. The man I thought I knew never existed. I know that now.

  “It’s Tuesday. I only work when Gavin is short at the club, but that’s not the point. You need to get up.” She lifts her cashmere-covered arm to her face, wiping the tears away. Her mask is back on, the fight in
her is back.

  Wait? Did she say Tuesday?

  “The club? What about school?”

  “Oh, hell no!” She jumps up and flings the covers off of me. “I knew you were out of it, but this…I’m not letting you travel this path any longer. Up!”

  “Hey! Give them back!” I desperately try to reach for something to cover myself up.

  “Look at you, Nina.” She looks around the room then stalks over to the mirror hanging by the door. She pulls it and the nail it hung from off the wall and returns to my side. “Look at you! Do you see who you have become?”

  Looking at her, but avoiding my reflection, I reply, “I don’t need to see myself, I know.”

  “Dammit! Look at yourself.” She slaps her hand down on the mirror. Her ring hits against it, causing the glass to crack. “You don’t eat, you haven’t been outside. You’re weak and frail.”

  “Niki, please.”

  “Now!”

  A knock on the door interrupts her, but Niki’s eyes are locked in on mine. Daring me to look.

  “Everything okay in here?” Gavin Shaw, Niki’s fiancé, questions.

  I know if I so much as look away, I’m liable to end up on the floor in an arm bar, a move from one of the self-defense classes she has taken.

  “We’re fine,” we yell in unison.

  “Niki, remember, she’s your sister.” Gavin glances at me, giving me a small smile, before he turns to leave.

  “Yes. She. Is.” She tilts her head, her long, chestnut locks falling to the side.

  If I didn’t know her so well I would fight this battle, but with Niki, you never win.

  “Fine.” I whisper, bringing my eyes to the mirror.

  This can’t be. I reach my hand out, running it over the lines of my body. Who have I become?

  Looking down, I take the same hand and touch my body. My once athletic frame is now a shell of what it once was. Since meeting Brandon, I was on a mission to lose weight, wanting to satisfy him. From physical to career to personal, appearance was everything to him. This should have been a red flag, but when you love someone, you look beyond, right? Weak and pale, bones bulging, I don’t recognize the girl who sits here. But I’m the girl in the mirror. I’m her.