Slaying the Dragon (Deception Duet #2) by T. K. Leigh

to give myself a renewed outlook on life. Everywhere else on the island had been tainted with Tyler’s presence. My condo. The gym. The tapas bar. The restaurant. They all held memories of him. But the beach held none of that. Out here, I could have the new start I needed and deserved. Out here, I could sever the chains binding me to the lies he fed me to get what he wanted.
    What was that anyway? I thought, slowing to a stop as a golden retriever darted past me, chasing after a ball his owner had thrown into the ocean. I closed my eyes, the ghost of Tyler dancing in my mind, replaying a scene I had suppressed the past few months.

    “Hurt me! Hate me! I want you to! I deserve it! I deserve everything you can do to me, Mackenzie, but you need to know something… I didn’t say anything. When you found me last night at the dedication dinner and I was distant, that’s because my brother asked about your father. He asked me if I knew where he was, if you had told me. And you want to know what I said? I said nothing, even after he warned me I could face potential prison time, or worse, if I withheld that information. So you can hate me all you want. You can bleed me dry and I will still bleed for you.”

    Feeling lightheaded, I lowered myself to the ground, lying on the sand. It was refreshing against my sweat-drenched back, temporarily cooling the heat running through me at the possibility I had been too stubborn to consider all the shades of gray that made up Tyler’s lies. Yes, he led me to believe he was genuinely interested in me, but at what point did I become a priority over his job, his mission? Or was his plea to me that day all part of the act? I ran my hand over my face, trying to make sense of it all. I didn’t know what to believe anymore, but I knew one thing…
    “He really didn’t say anything,” I mumbled to myself. I told Tyler everything. How I knew my father was still alive. How I knew where he was. How I still saw him on a regular basis at the church I attended when I lived in San Antonio.
    He knew exactly how to find my father, yet he was still a free man. Tyler continued to safeguard my secret, regardless of the possible repercussions to his own livelihood. I thought I did what was right, what anyone would do after learning the person they loved wasn’t who they said they were. But I was now more confused than ever, wondering whether my obstinacy had cost me the only man who would ever make me swoon.

    ~~~~~~~~~~

    A FTER MAKING THE DECISION to cut my run short, I headed back to my condo to get ready for my day. I went through the usual motions…shower, dress, makeup…but Tyler was on my mind more than usual today. As I was preparing a cup of coffee, I couldn’t help but think there was a reason for this.
    Lost in my thoughts, I jumped when there was a light knock on the door. My heels clicking as I made my way to the foyer, my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach as I pulled open the door, all the memories of the life I was trying to move past rushing forward.
    “Mrs. Burnham…,” I said, unable to hide the surprise in my voice as I stared at the petite woman with short platinum hair.
    “Please, dear.” She took off her large white sunglasses and put them in her purse. “Call me Colleen,” she said with a genuine smile.
    Nodding and in a daze, I stepped back. “Won’t you come in, Colleen?”
    Her eyes shot to my stomach as she took in my side view. Today would be the day I chose to wear something that showed off my figure, including the baby bump, instead of one of my flowing maxi dresses. The black sheath dress I wore made my stomach rather pronounced.  
    “I see,” she said, walking through the foyer and into the living area.
    Nervous about why she was here, I headed toward the kitchen area of my open living space. “Can I get you anything? A coffee? Water?”
    “I’m fine, dear.”
    I nodded, grabbing the cup of coffee that had finished brewing. Adding a bit of sweetener