Addicted to the devil th.., p.1
Addicted to the devil (The Shattered Hearts Book 1), page 1
Addicted to the Devil!
Part One
The Shattered hearts series
featuring a crossover with Author C.A. Michaels
The Awakening series
Written by:
T. H. ROSE
Contents
Addicted to the Devil!
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Mitch
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Beth
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Jax
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
The End
Meet the Author
Trigger warnings
This warning is in the description as well, please read it carefully before continuing to read, thank you.
Trigger and content warnings, this book Includes scenes and talks of abuse toward women, violence, sexual assault and r*pe, torture, talks of child abuse, kidnap and gang related violence!!
This book shows many scenes of men hurting women in a gang like environment, please do not continue reading if any of these subjects upset or cause triggers. This is a work of fiction, any references to, real events, real people or real-life places, other names, characters, places and incidents are of the author's imagination and any resemblance to actual events or places, or people living, or dead is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Copyright 2023-2024 transmitted, T. H. ROSE.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored, in a retrieval system or in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission from the author.
Copyright
©2023 Addicted to the devil, T. H. ROSE
©2023-2024 The shattered hearts Series
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. To request permission, contact
author.t.h.rose@gmail.com
Cover by A.L.N Designs
Written and Edited by T. H. Rose & C.a. Michaels
Published by T. H. Rose
Prologue
Beth, May 2010
I stand between my Mum and Dad as we wait in the airport checking in line. My dad gives my mum a small smile before re-adjusting the bag in his hand. We are going to America! Both my parents have business to attend to and due to them having to be away for at least two weeks, I have the joys of joining them on my first business trip! I am not thrilled about it as I have a lot of schoolwork to do and now, I am missing two weeks! I am glad I get to spend some one-on-one time with my parents. My older brother, Ricky, is staying in London with his best friend, Axel Jackson, and his brother Chase. Those three are inseparable most of the time, that is when Chase is not annoying me!
Dad hands the passports over to the flight attendant who looks very tired, but it is 3am! Why my parents had to get a 5am flight I will never know!
“Three to, Michigan?” the attendant asks.
“Yes, that’s correct,” Kirk Wiles answers.
“Thank you, Mr. Wiles, you are all set. Thank you for choosing Heathrow airport. I hope you have a lovely safe flight.”
“Thank you.”
Mum and I smile at the woman before following dad over to the security line. I hope this does not take long.
We passed through security within half an hour. Dad managed to find us three seats right by the entrance to the waiting area to board the plane. I glance out the large airport windows. My mind travels back to my brother. I hope he is going to be okay and does not get himself into too much trouble!
We are heading to Michigan, USA, because my mum has a book signing! While my dad has a meeting with the Starling PD Burglary, Crime, and Property Scene unit and the Homicide because the case he is working on has ties to the city.
“Boarding to Michigan, USA, will begin in five minutes,” the overhead announcer speaker says loudly.
“Beth come here, darling, we don’t want to lose you once everyone starts lining up,” my mum says.
I roll my eyes. I’m twelve and it annoys me how she treats me like I’m five. I truly miss my brother already! He would not be letting her treat me like this. But I feel grateful she watches over me like a hawk. Some kids do not have that.
The plane shakes left, right, centre. The turbulence makes me want to hurl. I look at my parents who are as sturdy as nails. That flight was hell! I hate flying!
I am just grateful we made it here alive! The weather here in Michigan is no better than the weather back home. Black clouds circle the sky waiting to open at any second. Luckily it didn’t rain, and our hotel was about thirty-five minutes away. When we arrived at the hotel, it was 8 pm. We all dragged our suitcases and bags towards the entrance.
“I cannot believe I am going to be doing my first book signing in America tomorrow!”
“I’m so proud of you, my darling.”
“Me too mum! You are rocking the shelves with your new Romance novel.”
“Thank you, sweetheart, and thank you, baby!” She smiles at Kirk. “I would not be able to do any of this without my babies and amazing husband by my side.”
My smile went to my ears. I am so tired but that will not stop me showing my mum my happiness. She has worked so hard to get her books out into the world. She started off writing when I was a baby and has not been able to stop since. From self-publishing her first six book series to opening and owning her own publishing company!
We book-in to the hotel and gather our keys, I am counting the second until we are in our room now. I need some food, a shower and sleep! This is the second time I have been on an aeroplane, and I wish it were the last. Unfortunately, we must travel home!
Dad pushes the hotel door open to a beautiful suite. I really wish Ricky were here. I miss my best friend!
“Your room is on the left, Beth. Mine and your dad are next to yours, and then we have this whole living space as well. I am going to wash up. I have got to meet my set-up team in an hour!”
“Thank you, mum.”
“Okay, darling, I’m going to phone the police station to let them know we have arrived safely.”
“Dad, how much does the call cost here to the UK?”
“Free, love. I made sure to change the contract before we flew out. I knew you would want to call Ricky every chance you get.” He chuckles.
“Thank you, dad. I just want to show off this beautiful room to him. Let him know what he is missing out on while he is with Chase and Axel.”
“Just remember, it was his choice to stay, don’t wind each other up.”
“Hey, I’m the angel.”
My dad throws me a wink. All I can hear from the bathroom is mum laughing. They know Ricky likes to wind me up!
Pulling my phone from my bag, I hit the on button. I love my brother, but he and his friends drive me mad! Chase flirting and declaring his love for me all the time does get on Ricky’s nerves as well, but they call it banter. I personally do not believe that he is too full on all the time to be a lie, or a joke. After all, I am only twelve. But very mature for my age, thanks to my older brother. The phone vibrates in my hand, and I waste no time hitting his name. The phone calls out and I move towards my bedroom.
“Hey!”
“Hi, Beth. Ricky has just jumped in the shower. He will not be long.”
“Oh, hey Chase, thank you. Do you answer his phone often?”
“No, but when I saw your name flashing, I picked it up, so you would not be worried. How was the flight?”
“Horrible!”
“Oh no. If only I was there with you. I could have held your hand through it all.”
“Chase, shut up!” his laugh hits my ears, and I cannot say it is not inviting, but no!
I hear a door slam and I know Chase is trembling at the sight of my brother.
“Yo, it's Beth,” Chase speaks.
“Why are you answering my phone?”
“I didn’t want her to worry.”
“Just give it here.”
“Hey,” I say.
“What’s up?” Ricky asks.
“Nothing, I just wanted to let you know we have arrived safely.”
“Oh, yes. How was the flight?”
“It was horrible! It felt like we were going to fall out of the sky! I was counting the seconds to get off!”
“Oh, Titch, you are so dramatic. Where is mum and dad?”
“No, I am not! The turbulence
“Oh, sounds awesome! Are you going to the book signing with mum?”
“I am guessing so. Dad doesn’t want to take me to the station while he interviews. He shouldn’t even be doing it. It should not be here!”
“Yes, I know. I did not really understand it when he explained it to me. You should have asked to stay here with me.”
“I did! Mum said no.”
“What, why?”
“She treats me like a baby! She said I am too young to be away from her for that long.”
“Oh, for god's sake! Look, Titch, it is getting late here, and we have school in the morning, so, I better go. I will message you tomorrow, love you..”
“I forgot about the time difference, love you too, goodnight.”
“Night.”
The phone line drops, and I smile. Ricky and I have always been close, he really is the best! Dropping onto the bed behind me, I am so tired. But I think about my parents always at work. Especially my dad. I still don’t understand why he has to come here to meet with the Starling PD! Yes, I am twelve, but I know things. And it seems he is being cryptic about it. I get why because it is sensitive information. I did read his file and boy did I get into trouble! But it really annoys me when he’s like this with us, we are his family he should trust us.
I don't really do friends, I spend most of my time with Ricky, Chase, and Axel. They may wind me up, but they are my friends. My brothers, I do not need anyone else, they annoy me enough as it is. Axel and Ricky are both older than Chase and me. Chase is Thirteen, Ricky and Axel are sixteen and I am the baby out of them all! My mum keeps telling me to find friends my own age to hang around with instead of my brother and his friends. She worries that they are a bad influence on me. I am not sure why. Ricky has never given her a reason to doubt him.
A loud bang wakes me from a dreamless sleep causing me to throw my body up in a panic.
“Beth, wake up we are late!” Mum says.
“Mum?” I say her name mid yawn which results in her giving me that warning look.
“I have not got time for this! Get up and get dressed, we are leaving now!”
“Ok, I will be out in a minute.”
“Make it 20 seconds.”
With that my door slams shut. Not sure how it is my fault, but it looks like we missed breakfast, which isn’t great for me!
I walk out of the bedroom shoving my arms into my coat.
“You are going to have to take her, Kirk, she has not even eaten! I am not going to get a chance to get her food!”
“Darling, calm down. I will take Beth with me. I am sure it will be fine. Do not worry about us.”
“Well, am I aloud in the station?” I ask.
This is why they should have left me with Ricky. It would have made all this a lot easier for them both.
“Beth you are coming with me!” My dad tells me. “Our alarms did not go off and we do not have time for you to get to mums’ event, is that okay?”
“Of course, it is. Mum, you are going to be amazing.” Smiling the brightest smile, I try not to show any disappointment. I give my mum a big hug “I love you mum and I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
“Darling, you need to go.” Kirk speaks.
“Yes, yes, I am going. I love you both so much.” Mum runs out of the hotel room while juggling her bag coat and box of books.
Being an author looks stressful! I could not handle that sort of stress!
“Looks like it’s you and me. Let's go see what sort of breakfast they have here. We need to be at the police station at Eleven o'clock. We have about two hours to find a good place to eat. You will not be able to come to the interview with me, but I am sure no one will mind you waiting for me. They do not really have a choice.”
‘Dad, why do you have to meet with them here in person?” I ask.
“The case I am working on has ties to this city. That’s all I can say.”
“Okay, food sounds like a good idea. But why do you need to be here? Couldn’t they do this over the phone?” I ask.
“This is sensitive information about a very bad man, honey. They couldn’t send me the files as the case is still ongoing.”
“I still don’t understand,” I say.
“It’s okay. You are very smart but there are still a lot of things you need to learn. Don’t rush it. Come on, let’s go.”
I nod and he leads the way out of the hotel to the car. We got into the car, and the beautiful city passed by me in a blur. But I can see some things and this place looks like a nice place to live. The roads are smooth. I did, however, notice a lot of construction on the many roads we had to travel to get to the station.
We arrive at the station, and it is much different than the one in London. This station is made up of all glass. The building is one story tall, and the word police is spelled out in big white letters. My dad looks over to me with a wide smile.
We leave the car and walk up the four white, concrete steps. It sometimes feels heavy on my small feet. We arrive at the entrance. My dad turns to me.
“Please stay quiet while in here. We do not know these officers. And we do not know their rules. I trust you will behave.”
“Dad, I get it. Do not worry. I will not say a word.”
“Thank you.”
We walk into the station and the first sight I see is a tall, muscular man, standing by the reception desk. He is not in uniform, but he has a badge attached to his belt. His hair is chestnut brown and even with a relaxed face he looks serious. He looks a little scary to be honest. Dad points to a row of seats and I get the hint. I sit down keeping my gaze on the man talking to the officer behind the desk. My dad introduces himself.
“Good morning, Mr. Wiles. They have been expecting you. Right this way.”
The slightly good-looking man I was eyeing, stands up straight and speaks to my dad. He shows my dad to the right of a hallway near the desk. It would have been nice for my dad to tell me how long this was going to take. I watch people coming and going. Many officers seem happy to be here. This feels like a really cool place to be.
Two younger officers walk out of the door I have been staring at. I smile at the officers. The woman smiles back. She has red, black, long curly hair, and potent hazel eyes. The man is slightly taller than her. A few shades of darker skin, shoulder length, poker-straight hair that is jet black.
They both walk over to the desk as they continue to talk to one another. Both are smiling. The woman laughs and it feels like the people here are truly nice. The two officers turn and start to walk in my direction towards the main doors and I keep watching them for some reason.
“Rohan! I can’t believe you said that in there!” she says.
“I’m not sorry. This case is just crazy. I mean it started here, then crosses over the pond. And Rick Cane, damn, he acts like the Chief! He was kind of dogging that lawyer from London. I had to say something.”
“I know, it’s crazy how he acts like he owns the place. But now that you said something, it’s going to be my ass.”
“Just your ass?”
The woman laughs and I try not to hear them, but they are talking kind of loudly. The woman looks back to me and gently smacks the man on his shoulder.
“You know I can’t hold my tongue or my expressions.” He laughs.
“Right. I know.”
The woman’s words sound sincere, but the laughter in her voice gives her away.
I smile to myself. These two look like great friends.
The woman glances in my direction, throwing me a smile and a small wave. I return the smile and drop my eyes quickly. Well, she now knows I was staring at her and listening into her conversation, where is my dad!
Another half an hour passes and there is still no sign of my dad. Just as I am about to get up and ask the reception officer to go check on him, my dad comes walking out by himself. He seems upset.
“Dad, what’s wrong?”
“That Rick Cane. He is truly something else. I can’t believe he was making it very difficult.”
“Did you get what you needed?”
“I did. But still. However, another man stuck up for me. He was genuine. The man I am investigating made his way here and killed six more people. Not only had he killed six in London, but six here in Starling too. See now. I had to wait for Starling PD to process their files.”
