Unspoken Promises (The Unspoken Love Series Book 2)

  PRAISE FOR UNSPOKEN PROMISES

  “Simply beautiful. Sensual, heart-tugging, and real.” – Katy Evans, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

  “Once again, H.P. Davenport has written a beautiful story replete with loving and heartfelt romance as well as intrigue with heartbreaking and touching moments that gripped my core.” – Tami Talbert, The Book Enthusiast

  “H.P. Davenport has written a beautiful and emotional book that will tear your heart up in pieces but by the end, not only are you whole again, you believe that true love really does conquer all.” – Franci Neill, My Girlfriend’s Couch

  “I really, really love this story. Morgan and Lincoln really take you on a roller coaster ride. My emotions were all over the place with this book.” – Karrie Mellott Puskas, Panty Dropping Book Blog

  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

  Epilogue

  Playlist

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2017 by H.P. DavenportThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, businesses, and events portrayed in this book are fictitious in every regard. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Due to strong sexual content and language, readers 18 and older, please.

  Editor: Elaine York, Allusion Graphics, LLC/Publishing & Book Formatting

  Cover photo: © Bigstockphoto.com

  Cover Design: T.E. Black, Cover Luxe Designs

  Formatter & Interior Designer: Elaine York, Allusion Graphics, LLC/Publishing & Book Formatting

  Unspoken Promises are worse than lies.

  Morgan Kennedy and Lincoln Gates have been in love since high school. Their friends have envied their devotion to not only each other but also the life they’ve made together. From the outside looking in, their relationship is perfect. One mirrored of fairytales. But behind the door, Morgan isn’t feeling as fulfilled as she once did. She wants more. She wants the glass slipper and the happily ever after.

  What Lincoln and Morgan don’t anticipate is that a horrific event is about to make them second-guess their wants.

  “Promise, is a big word. It either makes something or it breaks everything.”

  – Unknown

  LINCOLN

  “Once in a lifetime you meet someone who changes everything.”

  – Unknown

  Mid-October

  I can’t believe I let Morgan talk me into wearing this hideous outfit. Usually I don’t take part in any of the themed events she hosts at the club. But she said everyone was coming dressed, so here I am. Truth be told, I’ll do anything to make my girl happy. Well, just about anything. If I’m forced to wear this costume for a few hours, so be it.

  So, here I stand in the private room of my nightclub, Redemption, surrounded by a sea of people dressed up for the Masquerade-themed Halloween party Morgan organized. Thankfully, the guys collaborated on a superhero theme. Why not? We’re awesome like that.

  I chuckle at the sight before me. I’d take my costume Thor, the strongest, most powerful being on Earth, God of Thunder, any day of the week over the get ups that Christian and Jamie have on. Jamie is dressed as Batman, mask, cape, and all. Christian is none other than his trusty sidekick, Robin. I have no idea how Jamie convinced him to be Robin.

  As my eyes take in Christian’s costume, my chest shakes with laughter. He has a red body suit on with bright green leggings. At least I get to wear black leather-type pants, not a pair of colored tights. What straight male would ever voluntarily wear tights?

  How can I exude authority with fake armor and a large hammer with LED lights? I drew the line on the mask because it obstructed my view.

  The door opens to the private room and in walks Morgan’s best friend, Camryn, and Lindsey. A few hoot and hollers escape the guys at the girls’ attire. However, Morgan is missing and if I know my girl, she made a few pit stops along the way to check to make sure things are running smoothly. She’s supposed to be off tonight, to enjoy herself with our friends, but that never stops her from working.

  Lindsey and Camryn walk toward the table, I let out a loud whistle, and say, “Hot Damn. Look at the two of you. Is there a fire somewhere? Did I break the law? The two of you can serve and protect me anytime.”

  Lindsey is a firewoman, with her black leather mini skirt and has yellow and white suspenders attached to it. The black leather tank fits her like a glove and black boots show off her toned legs.

  Christian adds in, “Hey, Lins, if I light myself on fire, would you come to my rescue?” Then he wiggles his eyebrows at her in a provocative way.

  Lindsey just pushes Christian’s chest before putting him in his place. “Please, you wouldn’t know how to handle me. Men burn for me all the time. And not just on Halloween! I sure as hell don’t need a costume to make guys any hotter.”

  We all laugh at Christian, who is just sitting there shaking his head back and forth.

  Music filters through the speakers in the room. It’s not nearly as loud as it is on the main level. I look over at Jamie, who hasn’t said a word since the girls approached the table. I smile and lean in to whisper in Camryn’s ear, “You look sexy, baby girl. You know you’re going to drive him nuts tonight in that outfit.” I draw back to see her reaction to my comment. Her mouth curves into a flirtatious smile that matches her costume. From that look alone, I know that’s her plan.

  “Morgan told me your outfit was hot as shit, but I had no idea this was what you were showing up in tonight. The man will be panting by the time the two of you leave.”

  Camryn’s costume consists of knee-high leather boots that lace up in the front, and a one-piece, black police officer dress shirt that hugs her figure. The thing barely covers her ass. I hope she has some sort of shorts on under that thing. Jamie will lose his shit if she doesn’t. The little dress has buttons up the front; however, it’s low cut and stops in the middle of her cleavage, leaving her tits on full display. She’s sporting a baton and handcuffs on a belt. I can tell that Morgan definit
ely had something to do with Camryn wearing this tonight.

  Camryn pulls back, so I can see her face and grins mischievously. “That’s the plan, my friend.”

  I grin and nod in Jamie’s direction. His chest rises and falls as he is breathing hard. Jamie’s mask only covers his eyes, as they glare in Camryn’s direction. I’m not sure if he loves her outfit or hates it. Camryn smiles and blows her man a kiss. A loud laugh escapes me. Poor Jamie doesn’t stand a chance tonight. I’m glad the two of them finally pulled their heads out of their asses and decided to give a relationship a go.

  “Have you seen Morgan yet?” Camryn asks as she turns her attention back to me, rather than torturing poor Jamie.

  I lean down close to her ear, so she can hear me over the music. “Nope, she said it was a surprise. But if the outfits you and Lindsey are wearing are any inkling, I know I’m in for quite a shock. Those cuffs you have strapped on your belt, may come in handy. If you know what I’m sayin’.”

  Camryn scrunches her nose. “Ugh, I do not need to know what you do with my best friend. It’s bad enough I have to hear about your sex life from her. I can’t handle hearing it from you, too. But I will tell you this, Jason was a fan of our attire this evening,” she winks.

  “Oh, really. What exactly did Jason say?” I raise my brow inquisitively, “Please, enlighten me.”

  “He just said we were looking sexy as hell tonight.” She pats my chest, “Don’t worry, Morgan already told him he better pray that you didn’t have your earpiece in to hear what he said.”

  I tilt my head to the side and continue to look at Camryn. “That little shit has one job and one job only... keep my patrons safe. Not to admire the outfits you ladies are wearing. Especially not Morgan.” My body stiffens and my gaze focuses on the beautiful figure over Camryn’s shoulder.

  Morgan stands still with her hand on the doorknob as she scans the room. When her eyes land on mine, she lets go of the door knob, waving her hands down her body, as if saying, ‘do you like what you see?’ Damn, my girl is hot. She is by far the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. I am one lucky son-of-a bitch.

  I eat, sleep, and breathe for this girl. She’s been my everything since high school. I knew once she was mine, I’d never let her go. She claimed my heart and ruined me for all others. She owns me.

  Morgan walks over to us, swaying her hips seductively in her beautiful peacock costume. The top is some sexy thing a Victoria Secret model would wear that laces up the middle, pushing her tits up. My mouth salivates at how sexy her chest sits in that thing. I plan on untying those strings with my teeth once we’re at home. She’ll be using this outfit for more than just tonight, that’s for damn sure. I plan on seeing her wear this in the bedroom.

  I struggle to capture my composure. My eyes rake boldly over her. I want to throw her over my shoulder and take her to my office and bend her over the desk. Her breasts are concealed by colorful turquoise, gold and black feathers. The skirt barely covers her ass. I’ll be spanking her later for having that skirt on. That ass is mine to see... mine alone.

  My eyes slowly devour her body and settle on her sexy as fuck legs in those black heels. She looks absolutely fucking amazing.

  I pull Morgan into my arms. My mouth covers hers hungrily. My tongue traces the soft fullness of her lips. When I finally break the kiss, I smack her ass, pulling her closer to me. “Girl, have you lost your mind? I get the idea it’s a risqué masquerade, but I don’t like the idea of every man in this place seeing what is mine. Especially those tits and that ass.”

  Morgan’s extraordinary eyes blaze and glow. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were jealous.” Her voice low and purposefully seductive.

  She has no idea how sensuous her voice sounds.

  “Mine. Do you understand? It is one thing to have a costume party and choose a sexy outfit, but it’s another thing to put what’s mine on display.”

  Morgan shoots me a devilish grin, placing her hands on my chest. “You are the only man who has ever seen the goods and you will be the only man who will ever see the goods. You are mine, baby, and I am yours.”

  She leans in and kisses me. My tongue traces the softness of her lips. “You have nothing to worry about…”

  I smothered her last words with my mouth.

  My lips leave hers, cascading across her jaw to nibble on her earlobe. “I can’t wait to get you home tonight.”

  I suck her earlobe in my mouth. She gasps.

  “Steal Cami’s cuffs,” I whisper in her ear.

  “If I have it my way, you may not have to wait till we get home.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder in a gesture of defiance and sashays away.

  The idea of her eagerness excites me. Damn, I hope she pushes me in my office tonight and takes advantage of me. I sure as hell wouldn’t resist.

  Drinks are flowing tonight, we can’t keep the shelves stocked with liquor. Camryn steps out of the sea of bodies on the dance floor and strolls up to the bar. “Hey, baby girl. What’s up? Why are you down here? The bartender up there could have made you anything you wanted.”

  She shrugs nonchalantly. “Lindsey and I were heading upstairs, I was going to tell the guys where we were when we left the dance floor. Then I saw some girl with her arms around Jamie’s neck. He didn’t remove himself from her hold, so I bailed and headed over here.”

  Nodding my head in understanding, “You know it was probably nothing, baby girl. That man only has eyes for you. It’s been that way for a while now.” I raise my brow at her as if asking, ‘you knew that, right’?

  Camryn doesn’t respond to my statement. Okay, let’s change the subject.

  “Have you seen Morgan? The last I saw her she was trying to get one of the security guys to run in the back and grab a few bottles of liquor from the storage room.”

  She shakes her head. “I haven’t seen her since she left us on the dance floor. She said that she would be busy tonight running around, making sure everything ran smoothly. It’s no big deal, she’ll stop upstairs when she has a free minute.”

  “Wanna drink?” I ask and raise a glass in front of her.

  “A drink is just what I need. You know my favorite.”

  “One watermelon martini, coming right up.”

  LINCOLN

  “Sometimes the things we can’t change…end up changing us.”

  – Unknown

  Two hours later

  Some images can never be erased from your mind. Once they’re embedded, they can never be unseen. I never imagined I’d have to face something so horrific as to what I’m facing tonight. My stomach clenches and I run over to the trash can, unable to stop the bile rising up in my throat. My throat feels as if acid was poured down it. I vomit a few times until there is nothing left inside of my stomach. Anger knots inside me as I place the trash can down with trembling hands.

  “Mr. Gates, do you need to take a break?” Detective Jones asks.

  I take a swig of water to rinse my mouth out and spit it out in the nearby trash can. “I don’t need a break. The sooner we get this over, the quicker I can get out of here.”

  As the detective questions me, my mind focuses on two things… how did this happen and will she make it through this?

  Security is my strong point. I make sure to dot my i’s and cross my t’s when it pertains to the safety of my patrons.

  Question after question, I feel like I’m hearing the same shit over and over. “Mr. Gates, did you see anything out of the ordinary? At any time throughout the night, did anything seem out of place? Who had access to the storage room where the incident occurred?”

  “No, I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. It was a masquerade party. Things were being handled a little differently tonight. We were expecting to be at full capacity. I had men dressed undercover walking around the place, mingling with people as if they were guests. We had increased security on the floor. If anything, the security was heightened more than usual.” My response holds a note of imp
atience.

  “Mr. Gates, do you have a surveillance system in place?” Finally, a new question that I have a definitive answer to.“Yes, follow me. I also have a log of every person who stepped foot in this place tonight. Every night, we scan drivers’ licenses to keep track of who walks through the doors. I can print you a copy of that, too.”

  As we walk down the hallway toward my office, I see a drop of blood on the floor. The image of a battered Camryn flashes before my eyes. I shake my head to rid it from my mind. Seeing my friend of fifteen years lying on the floor with blood seeping from her head, and cuts and bruises on her face, will forever haunt my thoughts. My heart feels like it’s pounding through my head and ears. I clench my hand until my nails are digging into my palm. The act does nothing to make the emotional pain go away. I’m totally consumed with rage. I need a solid piece of drywall to pummel my fist through.

  I have to focus and go through the security footage to see if it reveals anything. Maybe the fucker who attacked Camryn right under my nose wasn’t smart enough to duck the cameras.

  I pull the chair out in front of the desk where the monitors sit for the security system. “I’ll make you a copy, but I have to look at this for myself. You can pull that chair over here if you’d like, or you can stand. Whatever you prefer. I’m not leaving until I watch the entire thing.”

  Detective Jones slides the chair over and sits next to me.

  “Where do you want to begin? Do you want to go back to when we opened the doors, or more along the time frame of when the incident occurred?” I ask.

  “Let’s start from the beginning. I want you to keep an eye on anyone who seems out of place. Anyone who may be lingering in areas where they shouldn’t be. Look for your friend, see if you see anyone hanging close by her. We may be able to see something on the footage that didn’t stand out earlier,” the detective explains.