Behind the Mask (The Masked Duet Book 1) Read online

  Behind the Mask

  Book One in the Masked Duet

  Harper Ray

  Behind the Mask © 2022 by Harper Ray. All Rights Reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

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

  Visit my website at www.HarperRayBooks.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Trigger Warning

  Dedication | To my granny, who was the strongest person I know. Thank you for always believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Even though you are no longer with us, I know you are in a better place and no longer in pain. Love and miss you every single day.

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  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

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  “How to Connect”

  About the Author

  Trigger Warning

  While this book is a second chance love story, it has vulgar language, vivid sex scenes, suicide attempts, harm to an unborn child, and mention of rape with flashbacks. This is a dark contemporary romance. Do not continue if these triggers affect you.

  Dedication

  To my granny, who was the strongest person I know. Thank you for always believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Even though you are no longer with us, I know you are in a better place and no longer in pain. Love and miss you every single day.

  Prologue

  His baby-blue eyes bore into mine. "Don't do this to me, Liv."

  Tears streamed down my cheeks as I shook my head. “I have to go," my heart constricted as the words left my chapped lips.

  He grabbed my hand, pulling me against his firm chest. His gaze hardened. "If you leave, I'm done. I've waited for you, loved you, cherished you, and if you go, I'm not going to wait around.” He paused. I knew this was killing him. “Is that what you want?" Each syllable dropped from his lips like a vicious warning.

  My breath caught as he kneaded his hands in my hair and tilted my head back slightly. His lips hovered over mine. "Can you live knowing that my heart will belong to someone else?"

  I whimpered before he pressed his lips against mine. The kiss was intense. It was strong and fierce as if he was determined to keep me here. His tongue demanded entrance, and once I succumbed, he dominated me. My back hit the car door as he pressed his hardened dick against my abdomen.

  I would miss him. I would miss the way he held me, and the way he made me feel like I was the only one in the world for him. But I had to leave. I wasn't safe, and my family wasn’t either.

  I couldn't risk it. I couldn't risk him. It was a sacrifice I had to make.

  I knew from the very beginning that he would become famous and leave this pitiful town behind. The more talented he had become, the more his light grew and mine faded. I knew it was only a matter of time before he left me behind.

  One of his biggest dreams was for us to get married and grow old together, but I was damaged. I’d kept a nasty secret that I knew he couldn’t forgive me for, so my only choice was to leave and shatter my own heart.

  Tears fell from my eyes as the kiss intensified. Memories of our time together raced through my mind. I’d give anything for it to be different, for me to stay. I would do anything to get rid of the heart-wrenching fear that surfaced every time I was alone. It killed me knowing that I wouldn't be able to tussle his soft blonde hair with my fingertips or be able to kiss his lips with every last breath I had.

  I moaned into his mouth, indulging in his kiss, and in his touch for the last time. My hands threaded into his hair, drawing him closer. The salt from my tears meshed with our mouths. He owned me solely and completely, and no one else could ever claim me like he had.

  From the time we were in diapers, I knew he was my weakness. I never knew how agonizing it would be to walk away from him. A sob escaped my throat as I pushed him back. I ran, my sneakers smacking against the pavement at each grueling step. I never turned back.

  I left home that night, not knowing what ramifications would await.

  Chapter One

  Olivia

  My hands curled tight around the steering wheel as I passed the sign that said ten miles left to Galena. It was a small town where everyone knew everyone, and it was almost impossible to keep secrets. The people were nosy, and I couldn’t risk being exposed. That’s partly why I left. I knew my decision had hurt my parents, and I knew it had hurt him.

  I pursed my lips. It didn’t matter anymore. He wasn’t here, anyway. I watched the news. He had been drafted as a first-round pick to the Texas Rangers baseball team. He was a million miles away, and he took what was left of my heart along with him.

  As I drove through town, leaves fell from the trees. The sun was setting behind the old buildings, and the fall colors mixed in with the grass. While familiar places blurred past, feelings of nostalgia slammed into me.

  I pulled into the gravel driveway that wound up to a white house that held so many memories. Some happy and some devastating. My knuckles turned pale as I glanced at the golden, two-story house in the rearview mirror. The house appeared to be hollow and vacant, a far cry from what it used to be. My heart thumped hard in my chest. I took a shaky breath and opened the door. I had just grabbed my bags from the back seat when Mom came barreling out the door.

  "Olivia!" She hurried to me and gathered me in her arms. Tears soaked my shirt as I rubbed her back. "It's been too long! I can't believe you’ve finally come back to us." She pulled away, with unshed tears in her pale blue eyes. She reached for the bag in my hand, and I let her take it into the house.

  I sighed and glanced at the house that harbored memories of him. Axel's family had moved a few years ago. Mom told me that when he was drafted, he moved them to Texas along with him. I remembered the pain in her voice when she told me the news.

  “Honey, I have something I need to tell you.”

  My heart lurched at her words. Something was wrong. Her voice was small, and fragile. “What’s wrong, Mom? Did something happen to Dad? Why do you sound so devastated?”

  She sighed through the phone, and I heard a hiccupped sob come through the speaker. “They left!”

  My eyebrows scrunched together. “Who...who left?”

  “My best frien
d...” she whispered in a defeated voice and instantly a lightbulb went off.

  The room spun around me as I sat down in the chair behind me. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes! He left and then decided to take them along with him! He came back and moved them down there this weekend. The house is empty...they’re gone.”

  My bottom lip trembled. This was all my fault. I left him, and he in turn couldn’t stand being there anymore so he left and took them with him.

  “I lost my daughter, and now I’ve lost my best friend? What do I do, Olivia? What should I do?” I pulled the phone away from my ear as her sobs grew louder. Her sadness ricocheted off the walls, and it made my chest hurt. By hurting Axel, I had hurt Mom. By hurting him, I had hurt everyone around me. I slid from the chair, pressed the end button, and threw my phone against the wall, hearing it shatter. I rocked back and forth on the smelly carpet, letting the despair once again take me away.

  Not only had she lost her daughter, but she had lost a best friend too. I rubbed the small ache that formed in my chest thinking of that night. A chill ran deep down to my bones as I stared at the yellow house. I gripped my bag tighter, turned around, and headed into the house.

  When I walked through the front door the sweet smell of peanut butter cookies filled my nose. Somehow, the smell made me feel safe and at home. A shout drifted from the living room and I made my way towards the man who was yelling at the television.

  "Stan! Don't you see who just walked through the door? Turn the damn TV off!" Mom scolded him.

  I chuckled when dad mumbled something under his breath before he turned off the television. His amber eyes twinkled when he saw me. He got to his feet and engulfed me in a bear hug. "Took you too damn long to get here, baby girl. Your momma and I have missed you so much."

  He pressed a soft kiss to my head. His woodsy scent brought hot tears to my eyes as I remembered just how much I missed him. He pulled back, ruffled my hair, and gave me a cheeky grin. His once black hair was now gray, and his face had more wrinkles. But he still looked like dad.

  "Honey,” Mom paused as she regarded me. “Why don't you take your bags to the room and freshen up. I’m sure you’ve had a long drive.”

  I yawned and nodded. It was a very long drive. About eighteen hours. I had only stopped for gas, restroom, and food breaks. And while it was very unsafe to do, I found myself pulled over at gas stations resting my eyes. I bent down and grabbed the bags.

  I turned to head towards the stairs when a hand was gently placed on my shoulder. I glanced over Mom was standing there with her bottom lip trembling. She looked ready to crumble. “I am so glad you’re home.”

  I swallowed and dropped my bags. I turned around and engulfed her in my arms. Tears trickled from my eyes as I thought about all the hugs I had previously missed. There was something about a mother’s hug that could soothe any heartache. In the distance I heard the TV turn back on. I guessed dad had given us some privacy. I pulled away and wiped the tears away with the sleeve of my shirt.

  I reached for my bags once more and ventured to my old room. I stopped just outside the door. It was still intact, as if I’d never left. The walls were a light gray and the white furniture fit in well against it. The two nightstands that sat on each side of the bed had two white lamps with a light purple shade. The queen-sized bed had a beautiful floral comforter that brought out the purple in the room. My favorite part of the room, though, was the bay window.

  I sighed in relief, knowing I was finally home. That feeling disappeared when my eyes drifted toward the picture on the nightstand. I walked over and snatched up the photo. I traced the outlines of his perfect face. At eighteen, he was undeniably gorgeous, and completely mine. Up until I high tailed it out of town without him. Tears welled up in my eyes as I placed the frame face down. I couldn’t hold in the pain I felt with his smiling face staring back at me.

  I took out my ponytail holder and allowed my dirty-blonde hair to tumble down my shoulders. I bee-lined into the bathroom and started the shower, stripped my clothes, and soaked up the water’s heat. As the rough pellets continued to beat down on my back, I flinched. The raised scars had once again made themselves known. A sob escaped. Terror seeped into my bones and took hold of me.

  I lifted my wrist and stared down at the raised scars. My fingers hovered before they delicately traced each scar. I kept them hidden by wearing long-sleeved shirts. I knew people thought I was weird for wearing long-sleeved shirts in the summer heat, but luckily it was Fall and I could get away with it now. This was all after I had attempted to end all the pain.

  I finished washing up and wrapped a towel around me. I used my hand to wipe away the steam on the mirror. “You can do this,” I whispered to myself. I sighed and padded to the dresser. Another yawn escaped; I really was tired. I searched through the drawers and found that mom kept most of my clothes. I grabbed a loose shirt and some yoga pants.

  "Olivia! It’s time for dinner!" Mom’s voice carried up the stairs. I hurried through getting dressed, ignoring how sore my body was from the drive. I threw my dirty clothes in the hamper, removed the suitcase from the bed and wandered down the stairs. As I descended, I heard a new set of voices. My brows scrunched inward. A voice sounded oddly familiar, but I was too tired to depict who it came from.

  I went into the kitchen and froze. Standing there in all of his glory was the man I never thought I'd see again. I swallowed the lump in my throat when his eyes met mine. I couldn’t seem to get my body to move. It was stuck in a phase of limbo. When a throat cleared beside him, my eyes averted to the beautiful brunette that stood beside him. She linked arms with him, and instantly, my heart dropped. She wore a solid diamond ring, and a breathtaking smile.

  Chapter Two

  Olivia

  Five years ago...

  My phone buzzed again. He was doing everything he could to get a hold of me. He called and texted about twenty times a day. He wanted me back and I wanted him back. Tears leaked from my eyes and fell to the iPhone screen and drizzled over the edge and below to the snow-covered ground. I wanted to reach out to him, I wanted to touch his face and just be one with him again, but for the sake of his safety, I had to stay away.

  “Are you ready to go, Olivia?” I peered up and saw Ashley’s concerned mocha gaze roaming over me. She was someone who befriended me when I moved to Little Rock, but she couldn’t replace my best friend, she couldn’t fill the void that was left in the deepest part of my heart.

  I hit decline, tucked the phone in my pocket, wiped away my tears and stood up. Goosebumps lifted on my arms as the cold wind howled. I tightened my jacket around my body and moved the beanie further down over my ears.

  “I’m ready.”

  Ashley looped her arm through mine and led me to the Starbucks across the street. She figured hot coffee and a pastry treat would cheer me up, but honestly, nothing sounded good. I wanted to wallow in despair in heartache. I didn’t feel like eating and I certainly didn’t feel like living. What was the point when I couldn’t be with the love of my life?

  We walked through the doors arm in arm and the smell of warmth and coffee filled my nostrils. She steered me to a quiet table in the corner. I moved into the booth and removed my beanie.

  “You sit here, and I’ll be back with some goodies!” she smiled her genuine smile and my heart flipped. She was a good friend, and even though she wasn’t home, I was still lucky to have her.

  My phone buzzed again, and my breath caught. I pulled it out of my pocket and placed it on the table. An unknown number flashed across the screen, but I let it ring. I knew exactly who it was. The same number called at the exact same time every day. The person would always leave a voicemail. The first few days I would check to see who it was, but after I realized who it was, I started to ignore them. He was taunting me, making me the victim all over again with his threats.

  Ashley came back with two coffees and pastries and placed them on the table. I reached for mine and moved my buzzing phone out
of the way. She sat down and noticed it ringing. “Is it him again?”

  I shook my head and took a sip of the hot coffee, letting it soothe my throat with it’s warmth. “No, it’s someone... else.”

  Understanding crossed her features. I didn't know her long, and I certainly didn’t spill my life to her, but she knew bits and pieces. She knew all about Axel and she knew about the threats I had been receiving.

  Disappointment crossed her features. “I think it's time we get you a new phone, hun. Torturing yourself like this will never help you move on.”

  I shrugged. “I can’t afford a new phone. I can barely afford rent and bills, let alone groceries. This one will have to do. They will stop calling eventually.

  She frowned. “Nope, sorry. We’re going to the apple store today. It’s time to let go of the past and move on. First and foremost, getting a new phone so they can no longer contact you.”

  I went to open my mouth, but she cut me off.

  “I don’t want to hear it. I’ll buy you a new phone. I’m not having my new bestie suffer through this heartache.”

  Tears brimmed in my eyes. “Thank you.”

  “Of course! Now eat up! We have a new phone to buy.”

  I didn’t know what I did to deserve her kindness, but I would do everything in my power to pay it back. Maybe she was right, maybe I would eventually start to heal. Getting a phone might be the perfect step in the right direction.

  Chapter Three

  Axel

  She was just as stunning as I remembered. Her long blonde hair was wet and stuck to her shirt, and her hazel eyes shined as if they were a bright star. My eyes roamed over her curves. I swallowed. Damn. She was perfect without even trying.

  Her gaze remained on mine, and though I resented her, I couldn’t help the way my heart sped up when she looked at me. She used to be mine. I gave her everything and she threw it all away. My jaw ticked. I’d never forgotten the night she walked away from me, and fuck, I couldn’t forget what it was like to be in love with her.