The Call Read online

  First Edition January 2020

  Published by GPC Publishing

  Copyright © 2020 Melissa Tereze

  ISBN: 9781660631186

  Cover Design: Melissa Tereze

  Editor: Charlie Knight

  Proofreader: Kira Plotts

  Find out more at: www.melissaterezeauthor.com

  Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaTereze

  Follow me on Instagram: @melissatereze_author

  All rights reserved. This book is for your personal enjoyment only. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters & happenings in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons (living or dead), locales or events is purely coincidental.

  Also by Melissa Tereze

  Another Love Series

  The Arrangement (Book One)

  Other Novels

  Forever Yours

  The Heat of Summer

  Forget Me Not

  More Than A Feeling

  Where We Belong: Love Returns

  Naked

  Acknowledgments

  This book wouldn’t be staring back at you without the help and backing of some fabulous people.

  Thank you to my beta readers. Without you, I would have scraped this book. I never realised how hard it would be to not only write a follow-up, but to actually let it go out into the world. Your encouragement and thumbs-up is the reason I continued.

  To my editor, Charlie, you absolutely rock! They have shown me so much support and honesty throughout this journey. To my proofreader, Kira, I’m so happy you’re still on this crazy road with me. I’m also happy about the final typos that you pointed out. You’re a writer’s best friend.

  My biggest thanks has to go to my fiancée, Lee. Without her unconditional love and encouragement, I simply wouldn’t write. She told me I could do this—cheered me on—and she was right. As she often is.

  And finally, thank you to you, my readers. The response to the first book in this series truly blew me away. My only hope now is that this book fills your heart with as much love as it has mine. Your continued support does not go unnoticed. Thank you for letting me into your lives, your hearts, your kindles, and your palms.

  I suppose my final words should go to the one and only Sam and Luciana. Please, for the love of God, get out of my head!

  And don’t forget to reach out to me. You guys keep me sane during the writing process. Here’s to more beautiful characters in 2020.

  Twitter: @MelissaTereze

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelissaC.Author

  Instagram: @melissatereze_author

  Find out more at: www.melissaterezeauthor.com

  Contact: [email protected]

  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

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  SIGN UP TO WIN

  Thanks for purchasing

  About the Author

  Social media

  Also by Melissa Tereze

  1

  Luciana pushed through the bodies on the dancefloor, the bass throbbing through her feet and taking over her entire body. A mixture of alcohol and perfume wafted towards her, but she persevered, knowing that she would soon be home and in the arms of Sam. Luciana had been working overtime during the last month. Tonight, she should be letting her hair down, but she didn’t care for it. She was meeting Shannon from the agency, and then she was leaving.

  Sam had encouraged her to go out alone tonight, too much work and not enough time preventing her from joining Luciana. Sam had recently landed a huge project, and five weeks on, it was gathering momentum. That meant late nights at the office, or late nights at home while Luciana worked a night shift. It wasn’t ideal, or what either of them wanted, but that was life. Something was always getting in the way.

  Luciana was proud of Sam’s success—even if she hadn’t been around for most of it—but tonight she wanted her girlfriend here with her. Her body grinding, writhing against her own. She wanted Sam’s intoxicating scent to swallow her up into their world, not that of the other customers, most too drunk to stand upright.

  “Over here!” a familiar voice yelled in the direction of Luciana, catching her attention. As the crowd separated, she found Shannon waving at her.

  “Hey!” Luciana pulled her ex-colleague into a hug before holding her at arm’s length, examining her. “Looking good. Have you been back in the gym?”

  Shannon offered Luciana a bottle of beer. “Actually, I have. A new client of mine really keeps me on my toes. I thought it would be a good idea to get in shape. I’ll never keep up with her otherwise.”

  Luciana narrowed her eyes. “Interesting. I thought you were thinking about leaving the agency?”

  “Couldn’t do it.” Shannon shrugged. “I love it too much.”

  “Whatever works for you.”

  “How’s Sam?” Shannon smirked as Luciana’s eyes lit up. “Good?”

  “Fucking perfect.” Luciana’s heart fluttered, those butterflies settling deep inside her stomach. “Busy, but perfect.”

  “I was surprised you called to meet me.”

  “Why?” Luciana leaned back against the bar, surveying the club.

  “Don’t really see you much anymore.”

  “Just enjoying being at home.”

  Shannon nudged her shoulder. “I don’t blame you. I saw the pictures you sent me. That place is gorgeous.”

  “You should come over one night for dinner. I know I’ve invited you before, but that invitation still stands.”

  “I don’t like to intrude.”

  “You wouldn’t be intruding.” Luciana’s forehead creased. “Why would you think that?”

  Shannon laughed. “Oh, come on. I don’t think Sam would appreciate sharing dinner with an escort in her very expensive home.”

  “She’s not like that.” Luciana shook her head, surprised by Shannon’s opinion of her girlfriend.

  “I’m sure she wouldn’t be rude, but that doesn’t mean she would like me being there.”

  “Dinner. At our place. Make yourself available.” Luciana looked pointedly at Shannon and added, “Seriously.”

  “I’ll try my best.”

  “Please?”

  Shannon sighed. “Fine.

  “Don’t sound too enthusiastic.” Luciana rolled her eyes as she grabbed Shannon’s wrist. “Come on. Let’s get a table.”

  They weaved through the crowd, finding a table to the back of the club and away from the dancefloor. As Luciana took a seat, placing her beer bottle down on the table, her eyes scanned the room. Lindsay wasn’t working tonight, but she still expected to see her here. She still liked to party hard, and after all, it was Saturday night.

  Shannon gasped “Oh, my God! Is that who I think it is?”

  “What? Who?” Luciana’s eyes followed Shannon’s. “Oh, shit!”

  Standing at the bar, her hips swaying, Janet Mason smiled back at them both.

  Luciana’s mouth dried, her lips parting slightly as she tried to catch her breath. Janet was looking directly at her…almost into her soul. She hadn’t seen her ex-client in quite some time, but as the seconds passed, she no longer felt fear. Instead, she felt an undeniable anger seeping through every pore. Giving Janet the once over, Luciana turned in her seat and focused on Shannon.

  “You okay?”

  Luciana’s brows rose. “Me? Great.”

  “Are we going to ignore the fact that your old client is in the building? Where she shouldn’t be?”

  Though she didn’t catch up with Shannon often, Luciana had kept her up to date with the Janet saga. She knew about the night when things officially ended between them, and about Luciana returning home black and blue. She also knew about the months that followed. They both chose not to mention it often, but that was hard to do when the woman in question was standing a few feet from them.

  Shannon lowered her voice as much as the music would allow. “She’s coming over. Do you want me to call the police?”

  “No, it’s fine. We were always going to bump into one another at some point.”

  “Alexis.” Janet slipped into the seat beside Luciana. “How are you?”

  “What do you want?” Luciana held back her anger, choosing to ignore the use of her escort name. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you shouldn’t be here. Not sitting next to me.”

  “I’m back in the city,” Janet said. “I’m waiting for someone to arrive.”

  Luciana smiled sarcastically. “I can see that you’re back in the city. Maybe you could drink in another club. Maybe even on another fucking planet.”

  “Less attitude would be great. I know we ended things on bad terms, but I’d like to reconcile.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so.” Luciana lifted her beer and sipped, just about done with this conversation. “Can you leave? You’re ruining my night.”

  Janet sighed and stood. “You look great, by the way.”

  “Because you’re no longer beat
ing seven shades of shit out of me and calling it something that it wasn’t.”

  Janet dropped her head on her shoulders, nodding slightly as she held up her hands. Though she appeared apologetic, Luciana wouldn’t fall for it.

  Luciana dipped her head. “Janet?” Janet’s eyes brightened when they met hers. “Fuck off!”

  Relaxing her body as Janet left the table, Luciana released a deep breath and cleared her throat. Shannon’s hand had somehow found its way to hers, but she didn’t need protecting. She could deal with Janet Mason on her own. There may have been a time when she didn’t feel strong enough to do that, but being with Sam, she felt empowered every single day.

  Shannon leaned in. “You good? We can go somewhere else if you want?”

  “I’m only having another one or two and then I’m out of here.”

  “To another bar?”

  “No. Home to Sam.” Luciana offered Shannon a forced smile. “Let’s just see how the night goes, okay?”

  “You deserve a night out.” Shannon gritted her teeth. “If that bitch thinks she’s ruining it, she has another thing coming.”

  Two hours later, Luciana found herself standing outside the club and waiting for her call to connect with Sam. They’d texted each other once or twice, but Luciana knew how busy Sam was and she wouldn’t interrupt her. Not if it meant she would get some time alone with her once her night in the city ended. When it went to voicemail, Luciana sighed and ended the call. Heading back towards the entrance, she glanced up to find Janet watching her. Just…staring.

  Luciana steeled herself and demanded, “Can I help you?”

  “Just getting some air.” Janet smoothed the front of her dress before her eyes returned to Luciana’s. “How are you, Alexis? I can’t believe how long it’s been.”

  Luciana shuddered. That name. It wasn’t her. Not anymore. Janet knew that, but she still insisted on using a name that no longer meant anything to Luciana.

  Luciana moved towards the entrance of the club, side-stepping Janet. “Shame it wasn’t longer. If you don’t mind, I have plans.”

  “Do you think perhaps we could get coffee together one afternoon? I’m going to be around a lot more.”

  “No, thanks.”

  “Alexis, please?” Janet gently gripped her wrist, her thumb stroking Luciana’s skin. “I don’t want to fight with you…or hurt you. I just want to make amends.”

  Luciana shrugged Janet’s grip from her wrist. “I’m quite happy without your friendship, Janet.”

  “And I could never blame you for feeling that way. The way I treated you, how I acted, it was abhorrent.”

  “Yeah, it was,” Luciana agreed readily. “But the thing is, I don’t care how you feel about it. I don’t care how sorry you are. All I want is an easy life. One that doesn’t include you.”

  “You and Sam?”

  Luciana’s forehead creased. “What about us?”

  “You’re still together?” Janet asked. “Happily?”

  “Like you couldn’t begin to imagine. As for the apology, you really can shove it.”

  Luciana disappeared back inside the club, making a beeline for Shannon. One or two ex-clients had spotted her throughout the night, but she didn’t make it a habit to feel as though it was an issue. That was her past life—one that she wasn’t necessarily ashamed of, but she didn’t need a reminder of the women she used to keep company. Whatever form that company came in. Sam was at home waiting for her; everything and everyone else in sight was simply a blur.

  “You want another drink?” Shannon asked as she returned to their table. “One for the road?”

  Luciana nodded. “Yeah, go on. I’ll keep the seats.” She returned to the screen of her phone and sent a message off to Sam.

  L: Leaving soon, babe. I love you x

  Relaxing back, Luciana watched the crowd grow in size and rowdiness. Girls younger than her flung themselves around the dancefloor or into the arms of anyone they could, while others bitched and argued amongst themselves. Rolling her eyes, she caught sight of Janet to the left of the dancefloor, the body of another woman grinding back into her lap. At least she was being honest when she said she was waiting for someone.

  Luciana wanted to look away, but her heart plummeted when she recognised the woman Janet was dancing with. Soft, dark-blonde hair wisped around her face until the woman’s profile came into view.

  Oh, fuck! Lindsay?

  Luciana bolted from the table, heading straight in the direction of Janet and Lindsay. She knew it meant nothing—Lindsay always flirted with the customers—but she didn’t like it. Sam wouldn’t like it either. Luciana would not be responsible for allowing Janet to build a friendship with her girlfriend’s sister. Not in this lifetime. Hell would freeze over before Lindsay got friendly with a woman like Janet.

  “Linds!” Luciana wrapped her arms around Lindsay, pulling her away from Janet. “So good to see you.”

  “Luciana, oh my God! Where’s our Sam?”

  “She’s at home. Didn’t think you’d be here tonight.” Luciana danced with Lindsay, keeping one eye on Janet behind her.

  “Oh, I didn’t feel like sitting in.”

  “You should have come ‘round to us.” Taking Lindsay’s hand, she twirled her. “Or called me. You could have come out with me.”

  “I thought you’d be home with Sam.”

  Luciana couldn’t wait any longer. She needed answers. “So, who is your friend?”

  “Oh, she’s just a customer. She’s really nice.” Lindsay glanced back over her shoulder, gaining a full smile from Janet. “She’s been here a lot lately.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Actually, I was hoping I could speak to you and Sam tomorrow night when I come ‘round…”

  “Of course. Everything okay? Do you need help?” Luciana pulled Lindsay away from the crowd, a worry evident in her voice.

  Lindsay laughed. “Help? No, but I need you to calm down.”

  “I am calm.” Luciana relaxed her shoulders and let go of Lindsay. “So, you wanted to talk to us?”

  “Tomorrow, yes.”

  “Right, okay.” Luciana blew out a deep breath, aware that Lindsay had no idea about her worries. How could she? Luciana’s past with Janet had been kept quiet. “I’ll let you get back to your friend then.” Was she worrying about nothing? Janet always hit the clubs when she was home. She couldn’t interfere with something that was barely a friendship. Something that could actually be nothing at all.

  Lindsay’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah, thanks. Is everything okay with you?”

  “Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?” Luciana had to remain calm, but inside, everything about this moment felt wrong.

  “You seem very on edge.”

  “No, just…” Luciana glanced over Lindsay’s shoulder to find Janet still watching. If she didn’t already know Lindsay was straight, she would assume they were together. “This friend of yours. How do you know her?”

  “I told you. She’s a customer.”

  “But is she just a customer? Do you go out together and meet up?”

  “We have…a few times,” Lindsay said. “She’s more of a friend than a customer.”

  Luciana’s heart sank. Was Lindsay trying to tell her something? Was that what she wanted to discuss tomorrow with Sam? No, surely not.

  “Linds…”

  “Mm?” Lindsay’s smile grew when her eyes found Janet’s.

  “Is there something you need to tell me?”

  “All will be revealed tomorrow.” Lindsay kissed Luciana’s cheek and backed away. “Call me when you’re both home tomorrow evening. I’ll come over.”

  “Right, yeah.” Luciana’s entire world slowed. Nothing made any sense. Lindsay was dancing her way back to Janet, and Luciana felt like she was in another life. Another world. One that was completely messed up and wrong.