Secret Tryst

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The metal door slammed behind her, reminiscent of a horror movie, and Serenity Hansom whirled around to face the prison guard. The middle-aged female guard seemed neither angry nor sympathetic, her expression devoid of any emotion as she guided her to a visitation room for family members. At least this one had tables where she could see and touch her sister. “Ten minutes, ma’am,” she said. “That’s all you’re allowed.”

“Right.” With their father now dead to her and their mother in and out of the hospital, Serenity was in charge of the family. She cringed as she caught sight of Serena in an orange jump suit with black prison numbers. Her blonde hair was matted and needed a good wash.

Serenity took a deep breath, smelled a slight stench of urine, but said nothing. Her sister had once been impeccable. She hugged her sister and closed her eyes. "Rena. You're looking well."

Serena gritted her teeth as they sat on a bench near the door. She crossed her hands in anger. "Why are you here?"

Serenity winced but adjusted her necklace to pretend she hadn’t.

The sentence Serena had received last week rocked their mother's delicate health and the medical bills were piling high. Serenity had sworn she'd mend her family so her mother had some peace. She lifted her chin and prayed she’d done the right thing. "I’ve hired a lawyer for your appeal."

"Thanks." Serena lowered her guard and whispered so only she could hear. "I didn't kill anyone."

They were less than a year apart and their parents thought it adorable that they have similar names, as if true twins. In real life, Serena and Serenity were nothing alike; however, they were still family and Serenity hoped her sister had learned her lesson. "You tried to."

Her blue eyes seemed stricken and she stiffened. "I will not argue with you here, where they record everything I say. If you paid for a better lawyer than the last one, that's good. I’d like to get out of here."

Her sister had almost gotten an innocent woman, Alice Collins, killed in her plot for revenge. Their father wasn't worth this price. Yes, Mitch Morgan had set up their father for prison, but it didn’t matter because her dad had done the crime.

She’d decided to simply avoid all Morgans whenever possible, but tonight was different and a one-time thing. Serenity placed her hand on her sister's. "Serena, do you realize that your sacrifice wasn’t worth it?"

Serena gritted her teeth and lifted her chin. "What’s the plan to get me out of here, sis?"

Serenity squeezed her sister’s cold fingers. "I hired a reputable lawyer.” They’d used an inexpensive one last time and the man hadn’t helped her sister’s case. “I won't let you go with a public defender.”

"How are you paying for a lawyer?" Serena leaned closer and the body odor made Serenity’s nose twitch. "The government seized all our family money."

Serenity’s small business near Atlanta had been thriving when the FBI captured their father during a family dinner well over a year ago. "Not mine.” She’d put her business degree to work. “Since Dad's arrest, I’ve made it a mission to ensure my spas succeed. My spas are a national chain now."

Serena gave her a pointed look she’d been famous for in the family. "Isn't the Hansom name tarnished?"

Her face heated. Their father had taken them down with him in his quest for more. "Most people don't associate me with our father." Serenity certainly did her best to distance herself.

"Two minute warning," the guard called from outside the small room.

Serena closed her eyes and opened her arms, pulling her into a hug. Serenity felt a connection to her sister she’d feared had been lost. As Serena let go, she quickly bobbed her head. "Thanks for coming and helping me. Promise me you'll stay away from all Morgans—they can’t be trusted."

Normally she'd have agreed immediately. However, as owner of Calm Serenity spas, she'd been invited to the social event of the year—which just so happened to feature the head of Morgan Enterprises. She wasn't planning on engaging in business with them, but being seen amongst the crowd would attract Miami's elite into her spa. There was no time to explain to Serena, so Serenity bit her lip. "I'll do what I can for you and Mom."

Her sister’s gaze narrowed. "What's going on with Mom?"

"She's in the hospital again." Her chin trembled. "After your sentence…” Her mother’s weakness was the reason Serenity had contacted a new lawyer to free Serena. “She deserves to be at peace."

"Mom would understand what I did better than you ever could."

Her sister never took responsibility, ever. Serenity had no words and glanced at her own nails, which were buffed to a shine compared to her sister’s now dull luster.

Their mother had been hospitalized right after Serena ended up in jail. Serena had slept with Peter Morgan for revenge, coming between him and Jennifer Gonzales, who he’d been dating at the time.

Serenity reached up and fingered the saint medallion their grandmother had given her, missing Grandma’s sage advice. Her hands shook. "You'll be happy to know Peter Morgan is not marrying Jennifer Gonzales, so in that affair, you're blameless."

The guard peered beyond the door. “One minute.” Serena hugged her again but now whispered in her ear, "Tell the lawyer that the FBI agent who hated John Morgan came to me for help. If a lawyer can swing a deal for my release in exchange for my testimony, I'll tell everything I know." She sat back.

A huge sigh of relief burst from Serenity. "Good.” That had been the lawyer's hope, for Serena to make a deal—something she’d refused earlier. “I wanted to talk to you first."

"Why? You don't think it's a good idea?" Serena's eyes went wide.

Her sister had been part of a conspiracy that almost murdered a woman. Serenity had asked Serena why, but her sister had changed the topic rather than answer. Now she had to accept her sister’s actions and pray that she’d learned her lesson. Serenity placed her hand on hers. "I just want to know you'll…” Not turn out like their father.

Her sister shook her head and stood. "Serenity, you were always the goody-two-shoes. I love you for helping me. I just don't understand how we're sisters sometimes."

The guard widened the door and gestured for her to go.

Serenity swallowed and pushed for an answer, needing assurance after spending hard-earned money to help her. "Promise me you'll never try to hurt anyone, not even a Morgan."

The guard’s voice deepened. "Ma'am, your ten minutes are over."

She hugged Serena tight. "I have to go. Stay safe in here until we can get you out."

"I hope your spa business prospers." Serena squeezed back. "I might need serious cash."

The guard repeated herself. "Let's go."

Serenity took a step to follow her. "I’m here for you. Mom loves you. Just watch your back."

"Tell Mom I miss her."

"Of course." The guard slammed the door closed. Serenity locked her gaze to her sister's matching stare through the mesh window. Their father had sent Serena down this path, and for that she couldn’t ever forgive him. The guard showed her to the door.

Once outside, Miami’s blistering humidity soaked her shoulder blades and trickled down her spine. She swayed in the heat, overcome with responsibility.

A half an hour later, Serenity walked into her mother's recovery room carrying a fresh bouquet. Her mother loved lilies. This morning had been rough. She needed her herbal tea and to put her feet on roller beads to help destress.

It would take everything her spa had in its arsenal to make her look the part of successful businesswoman tonight. Her mother's nurse left and Mom sat up in bed. She coughed, deeper than normal. Her voice was hoarse and weak. "How was your sister?"

Serenity placed the flowers in a vase and arranged them. Without looking at her mother, Serenity answered, "She's as well as expected."

"Did you tell her I love her?"

"Of course. She sends her love too.” Her mother could be in her own home once her health improved. “Did the nurses give you all your medicine?"

"They tried."

"Mom..."

Her mother lifted her chin, looking just like Serena, stubborn and not sorry. "I don't like to be loopy."

"Mom, pneumonia isn't something to ignore. You were unconscious for a week."

"I let myself get run down."

Now that was the truth. Serenity slumped into the seat next to her. "We've had a rough year."

Her mother patted her hand and started, "Your father..."

"No," Serenity interrupted before her mom got going. She'd not justify her father's crimes or her sister's. They should have both known they were wrong. Serenity would never be involved with bad people or bad situations, not if she could help it. "Don't defend him. He is in federal prison, found guilty of money laundering and other crimes. To me he's dead and he should be to you too. My spas are all we have left."

"I don't understand why it’s all gone."

"The money wasn't ours. You know that." Her mother had never asked questions in regards to her lavish lifestyle, which had led them all down this path. Now her sister was in jail and heading to prison just like Dad. Serenity looked at the clock and groaned, realizing she’d be late to her meeting. She stood. "I have to check in with work, but I will see you tomorrow."

"Have a good day, dear." Serenity kissed her mother's cheek and then ran out the door.

Ten minutes late. She was never late. Today, seeing her sister in orange, had been hard. She swallowed as she passed Kiwi, who stood up from her desk. The all-white office with the water fountain trickling and Eastern music playing softly usually calmed her and everyone within the spa. Kiwi stepped in her way. "Serenity, your twelve o'clock was early."

Early? Her eye twitched. Normally she always was too. Right now, she needed a shower and to wash the morning off, but she didn't have that luxury. Work called. She breathed in—then out. "Give me two minutes."

Dressed in the spa’s black uniform, Kiwi followed her into her office and went right to the supply cabinet. "You look awful. Let me freshen up your makeup at least."

The supplies were for customers but right now, the CEO had to appear fresh or risk losing an investor. "Thanks."

"Where were you this morning?" Kiwi powdered Serenity’s face.

Places people in spas don't visit. Serenity pressed her lips together but Kiwi made fish lips with her own to tell her to pout so she could apply lip color. "Prison, then the nursing home."

Kiwi finished the rose matte for her mouth and then picked up a shade of cream for Serenity’s eyes. "Shake it off,” her right-hand man said. “You have that wedding tonight."

"I shouldn't go." The Morgans never should have sent her the invitation. None of this made sense. The wedding was small and intimate and all the news channels would be there. Her shoulders slumped.

"You absolutely should." Kiwi worked on her lower eye lid. "Publicity is what our spa needs to compete in this market, and if we are successful in Miami, we can branch out internationally."

"I don't get why I was invited? They must hate me. Between my sister and my father, you'd think I was persona non grata to the Morgan family."

"That's your family. You didn't do anything but start and run a successful business." Kiwi then picked up a liner to accentuate the simple cream base. "Look, you're the face of Calm Serenity and that wedding will be THE event of the year. Everyone wants an invite to a Morgan wedding. Just going will get you photographed in the local and national papers. You don't have to stay for the whole wedding if you want to sneak out of there."

Leave it to Kiwi to bring her back to reality. There was no option, really. Tonight, she'd make sure that her spa was considered the best with the billionaire set her father had once run in. "Believe me, I’ll do what I must to ensure my business is successful."

"Then let's work our magic on you before you go, and make you look fabulous so people are lined up out the door."

"Thanks Kiwi. This is why you're my assistant."

"And why you pay me what you do as the analyst.” She winked at the job title correction. “Now, let's go with coral to really make your blue eyes stand out. Who knows, there might be a billionaire or a prince waiting to meet you. Will you wear my shoe design?"

"A billionaire or a prince would still be a no." Serenity laughed. The last thing she wanted was love—it made you weak. "And of course, I'm wearing your shoes. They are fabulous."

A few minutes later, she met with her first appointment of the day and worked her way through the afternoon. Calm Serenity spas was her lifeline and it was all she'd ever need to be secure and safe. She tried not to dwell on the yacht party later where she’d meet the woman that her sister had almost killed as she toasted well wishes to the groom, Peter Morgan, and his bride, Belle Jordan.