One Simple Mistake (The Citadel Series Book 1) Read online

  One Simple Mistake

  The Citadel Series, Book 1

  by

  Deanndra Hall

  One Simple Mistake

  The Citadel Series, Book 1

  Celtic Muse Publishing, LLC

  P.O. Box 3372

  Paducah, KY 42002-3722

  Copyright © 2015 Deanndra Hall

  Kindle Edition

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

  License Notes

  Thank you for downloading this ebook. It is the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied, and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to purchase their own copy, where they can also discover other works by this author.

  This book is a work of fiction.

  Names of characters, places, and events are the construction of the author, except those locations that are well-known and of general knowledge, and all are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental, and great care was taken to design places, locations, or businesses that fit into the regional landscape without actual identification; as such, resemblance to actual places, locations, or businesses is coincidental. Any mention of a branded item, artistic work, or well-known business establishment, is used for authenticity in the work of fiction and was chosen by the author because of personal preference, its high quality, or the authenticity it lends to the work of fiction; the author has received no remuneration, either monetary or in-kind, for use of said product names, artistic work, or business establishments, and mention is not intended as advertising, nor does it constitute an endorsement. The author is solely responsible for content.

  Cover design M.D. Halliman, 2015

  Formatting by BB eBooks

  Disclaimer:

  Material in this work of fiction is of a graphic sexual nature and is not intended for audiences under 18 years of age.

  More titles by this author . . .

  The Love Under Construction Series

  Laying a Foundation with prequel, The Groundbreaking (Book 1 Combo Volume)

  Tony Walters spent most of his adult life fending off an insane ex-wife. Nikki Wilkes found herself alone at the hands of a drunken driver. Once they’ve managed to find each other, it seems as though it would be smooth sailing – except that a weird ecoterrorism group has different ideas. It’s more than their relationship they’re trying to spare; it’s their very lives.

  Tearing Down Walls (Book 2)

  Secrets – they can do more damage than the truth. Secrets have kept Vic Cabrizzi and Laura Butler from forming lasting relationships and finding the love and acceptance they both desperately need. Laura is resistant to Vic’s interest until it appears he’s the only person who can protect her from a madman. But he’s got problems of his own. Love may just grow, but only if they can both manage to stay alive.

  Renovating a Heart (Book 3)

  Steve McCoy and Kelly Markham both have pasts that would’ve taken down most people, but they fight and claw their way into an existence. But when they find themselves together, it’s Steve who can’t seem to open up. And Kelly’s attempts to help him do that cost her not only their relationship but possibly even her life. It’s tough when your survival depends on someone who doesn’t seem to care anything at all about you.

  Planning an Addition (Book 4) – Fall 2014

  When you think you’re set for life and that life gets yanked out from under you, starting over is hard. One woman who’s starting over finds herself in love with two men who’ve started over too, and she’s forced to choose. Or is she? And when one of them is threatened by their past, everyone has choices to make. Can they make the right ones in time to save a life?

  The Citadel Series

  One Simple Mistake (Book 1) – Spring 2015

  In the first volume of the spin-off series from Love Under Construction, Doug Benton finds himself in a horrible situation until he manages to land a job with Cabrizzi Farms. Working as their housekeeper, Vivian Norton is part of Tony and Nikki’s big extended family. When their paths cross, Doug and Vivian realize they have something in common: They’re both trying to heal broken hearts. They work together to heal those hearts and everything is great until one simple mistake tears them apart.

  One Poor Choice (Book 2) – Fall 2015

  Jared Calhoun has been waiting for a promotion within the ranks of Citadel Security. When he finally gets what he’s wanted, he finds out there’s a bonus waiting for him: It seems Bernadette “Bernie” Guillory has eyes for him. She’s single, French, a beautiful model, and she’s come to live with her brother-in-law and sister, Kyle and Lisette Little, while she looks for a job in the United States. Being with a woman that beautiful and sexy is a foreign concept to Jared, but just as it appears everything will work out between them, her choice of job puts her in a position to experience more horror than any of them could ever have imagined, a horror she may not survive.

  One Wrong Glance (Book 3) – Spring 2016

  Wendy Ryan is tired of being stuck in the tech hole at Citadel Security. And once her boss, Steve McCoy, promotes her to agent status, her first assignment is to guard Malcolm Collins, one of Tony’s employees who appears to be the target of a string of hate crimes. But things aren’t always as they appear, and as sparks fly between Wendy and Malcolm, so do bullets, but not from the source they assume. She’d like to do more than just protect him, but love is elusive when you’re working to stay alive.

  The Harper’s Cove Series

  What’s going on down the street? Meet the neighbors of Harper’s Cove and find out why Gloria, the nosy neighbor, is so sure that they’re all up to no good. These novellas are short, erotic fun, and let you in on the secrets of every household on the street. Grab one, go from house to house, and check out the kinky goings-on. It’s too much fun!

  The Me, You, and Us Series

  Adventurous Me (Book 1)

  “Boring, tiresome, and predictable.” Trish’s husband decides to leave her after almost thirty years of marriage. And Trish is afraid he might be right – maybe she is all of those things. But a chance encounter at a bar with a gorgeous older man leads her to visit a place she never dreamed existed, and to explore a lifestyle she’d never imagined. Her adventure is in full swing, but when the one person she’s met who seems to hate her finds himself stuck with her for two weeks, will Trish survive? She was looking for adventure, but she just may get a chance to find out how much adventure is too much.

  Unforgettable You (Book 2) – Spring 2015

  Steffen lost out on a chance at love when a possible relationship with Trish just didn’t materialize. But he gets a new opportunity when Trish’s friend, Shelia, walks into Bliss and straight into his heart. He wants to spend the rest of his life with her, but a secret he’s forgotten comes back to blow his world apart and remind him that there’s little to no difference in lying and not telling the whole truth.

  Incredible Us (Book 3) – Late 2015

  Dave’s single, and he’s poured his heart and soul into Bliss, the BDSM club he runs. Even though he’s a silver fox all the ladies swoon over, Dave doesn’t consider himself relationship material. When he finds a homeless Olivia out back by the club’s dumpster, Dave doesn’t want a relationship with the girl over three decades younger than him; he just wants to keep her safe until he can get her out of town to start a new life. But once he’
s sent her away, he finds out that we don’t always get to choose who we love.

  The Celtic Fan (independent novel)

  Nick Roberts. No one knows the mysterious author of the bestselling novel, The Celtic Fan. He doesn’t do interviews, book signings, or public appearances. Everyone is looking for him. And when four old friends find themselves in possession of an address stolen from Roberts’ publishing house, they take their annual “guys’ road trip” to find him. Only one, Steve Riley, stays focused and sets out to find Roberts. When he finds the owner of the residence, he’s pretty sure there’s been some kind of mistake made. But a natural disaster forces him to get to know the occupant of 19 Creekside Drive, and Steve’s reminded of a simple truth: Things, and people, are not always as they appear. Throughout Steve’s sweet and sensual retelling of that magical week are portions of the original work by Roberts, the tragic story of a young couple torn apart by discrimination in post-World War II America.

  Coming Soon: The Call Girl’s Guide to Great Sex

  A wife who needs to win her husband back and the unlikely lady who decides to help her do just that tell the stories of their own journeys as one shares and the other grows. It’s fun, insightful, witty, and practical – oh, and pretty damn sexy too!

  Coming Soon: The Legacy Series

  The younger generation in the Love Under Construction series comes roaring to the forefront in this four volume spin-off series from the original series. Get to know Hunter, Annabeth, and Clayton better as they work to keep their lives on keel despite the worst of odds. And meet someone that no one’s met before in a shocker that’ll completely change the life of a character you know well and love deeply.

  Coming Soon: The Witch of Endor Series

  It’s a four-volume paranormal series unlike anything you’ve ever read before, blending elements of other dimensions with quantum physics to create a unique, steamy, adult romance full of danger and suspense.

  A word from the author . . .

  In spring of 2014, I really thought that fall of the year would bring an end to the Love Under Construction series. That series saw the Walters family go from a broken-hearted, lonely mess to the happiest group of people on the planet! Every storyline was resolved and everyone had their “happily ever after.” Right?

  Wrong.

  And so it is with love and pleasure that I bring you the first of the Citadel series. There was no way around it: Readers had grown to love Doug, and they knew Vivian, Jared, Wendy, and Malcolm, but not very well. So here’s your opportunity to get to know them in ways you haven’t before, and to laugh, cry, and beat your head on the wall as you’ve done throughout the Love Under Construction series. Sorry. But you know you love it.

  All my love to my wonderful Sir, who believes in me when I don’t believe in myself. I couldn’t do this without Drue Hoffman, the world’s greatest promotional specialist and personal assistant, and the equally awesome Heidi Ryan. My street team, Deanndra’s Construction Crew, is the most fabulous group of women I’ve ever known – kisses to all of you.

  So sit back, relax, and dive into the awesome world of the Walters’ family and friends all over again. You’ll fall in love with Doug and Vivian – I promise.

  Love and happy reading,

  Deanndra

  Visit me at www.deanndrahall.com

  Contact me at [email protected]

  Join me on Facebook at facebook.com/deanndra.hall

  Catch me on Twitter at twitter.com/DeanndraHall

  Find me blogging at deanndrahall.blogspot.com

  Check out my Substance B page

  Write to me at P.O. Box 3722, Paducah, KY 42002-3722

  Support Indie authors!

  Independent (Indie) authors are not a new phenomenon, but they are a hard-working one. As Indie authors, we write our books, have trouble finding anyone to beta read them for us, seldom have money to hire an editor, struggle with our cover art, find it nearly impossible to get a reviewer to even glance at our books, and do all of our own publicity, promotion, and marketing. This is not something we do until we find someone to offer us a contract – this is a conscious decision we’ve made to do for ourselves that which we’d have to do regardless (especially promotion, which publishers rarely do anyway). We do it so big publishing doesn’t take our money and give us nothing in return. We do it because we do not want to give up rights to something on which we’ve worked so hard. And we do it because we want to offer you a convenient, quality product for an excellent price.

  Indie authors try to bring their readers something fresh, fun, and different. Please help your Indie authors:

  - Buy our books! That makes it possible for us to continue to produce them;

  - If you like them, please go back to the retailer from which you bought them and review them for us. That helps us more than you could know;

  - If you like them, please tell your friends, relatives, nail tech, lawn care guy, anyone you can find, about our books. Recommend them;

  - If you’re in a book circle, always contact an Indie author to see if you can get free or discounted books to use in your circle. Many would love to help you out. If they help you out, please have circle members review the book(s) to help the authors out;

  - If you see our books being pirated, please let us know. We worked weekends, holidays, and through vacations (if we even get one) to put these books out, so please tell us if you see them being stolen.

  More than anything else, we hope you enjoy our books and, if you do, contact us in whatever manner we’ve provided as it suits you. Visit our blogs and websites, friend our Facebook sites, and follow us on Twitter. We’d love to get to know you!

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Disclaimer

  More Titles by This Author

  A Word from the Author

  Support Indie Authors!

  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

  About the Author

  Sneak Peek of One Poor Choice

  Connect with Deanndra on Substance B

  CHAPTER ONE

  Tony was right behind him when he pulled into their drive. He watched as his boss parked the car and walked around it a time or two, and he got out and did the same. “My god, that’s a beautiful thing,” was all he could manage to get out.

  Tony nodded. “I think she’ll like it.”

  “I love my car, but if she doesn’t like it, you can give it to me. I’ll gladly take it,” Doug Benton smirked. He couldn’t wait to see Nikki’s face when she came out the door and saw it. Delivered two weeks earlier and right after the holidays, Tony had stored it in one of the buildings over at the farm so he could save it for later and, in the meantime, the custom license plate had come. Perfect. Doug watched Tony scrutinizing the paint job – it was flawless. This would be some surprise.

  It was nice to be considered part of the Walters clan. The invitation to come over to the big Shelbyville house and watch a soccer match with the guys was not something anyone in their right mind would turn down. Doug was parked behind Vic and Laura Walters’ new minivan, and he didn’t bother to set the alarm on his red Dodge Challenger – the car was more than safe in Tony and Nikki Walters’ driveway. Not only was it out in the sticks, but there were at least a half dozen well-trained security people inside, so that was no worry.

  And it was the wedding day of two very good friends – and two others whose wedding he’d like to skip. But they were all getting married that day, so he’d just grin and bear it. It was a sunny day and, even though it wasn’t warm, the promise of spring was in late January air.

&nb
sp; Doug reached for the doorknob but before he could hit the latch, the door popped open. “Nooooo! Leave me alone!” was the first thing he heard, and a screaming Anthony Walters, Tony and Nikki’s little grandson, ran out of the house and headed down the drive.

  “Come back here, young man! You have to put on a jacket!” Before Doug could process what was going on, a red-haired young woman darted past him, chasing the little boy as fast as she could run. And she could run. She caught up with him almost effortlessly, grabbing his arm and hauling him back toward the house. “You’ll wear your jacket or I’ll go get your dad!”

  Doug had just assumed the woman was Brittany, Clayton Walters’ wife and little Anthony’s mother, but when she turned, he realized his mistake. She was similar in coloring to Brittany, height too, but that was where the similarity ended. Big blue eyes hid out behind a pair of dark-rimmed glasses, and over thirty pounds filled out a shape that Brittany just didn’t have. Where the young Walters wife was tall and willowy, this girl was curvy, and curvy all over, everywhere, downright sultry in her shape. Doug’s eyes were immediately drawn to her sweet, shapely ass. As she tried to wrangle him, the little boy struggled against her. “No, Auntie Viv! I don’t want to wear a coat!”

  “It’s not a coat. It’s a jacket. And you will wear a jacket. It may be warm for January, but it’s still cool out here, young man! I swear,” she muttered, trying to wrestle him back toward the house. He proceeded to lie down on the driveway, making it impossible to drag him back.