Chapter 1 

Thomas, 

This is the last time you will hear from me. Don't try to find me. I don't wish to be found. It is over between us. There's no going back. You did this, you alone with your vicious drunken rage. I never thought I would see this side of you. 

Natalia  

Feeling a cold chill run up her spine, Natalia tossed her pen onto the broken coffee table, stood up, and made her way to the front door. Pausing for a moment, she inhaled and let her breath out rhythmically as she slowly turned her body and took one last look at her once beautiful home. 

Shaking from nerves, she turned around, closed the front door, and swiftly walked to her car without looking back once. Pulling out her keys with shaking fingers, she opened up her car door, placed the key in the ignition, started the car, and sped away immediately.  

Without thinking, Natalia soon found herself in front of her local police precinct, parked her car, and walked inside before she changed her mind. Making her way to the front desk on wobbly legs, she spotted the desk Sargent and swiftly walked over to him doing her best to hold in the tears threatening to fall as the memory from the prior evening played in her head like a movie on screen.  

“Miss?” asked the Sargent with concern. “Is everything all right? How may I help you?”  

Taking a deep breath, Natalia did her best to find her voice and said, “Sargent, I’m here to file a complaint. I’m not sure what kind.”  

“Oh,” said the Desk Sargent watching Natalia’s eyes begin to water. Looking around, he spotted an office not in use and escorted Natalia inside. Handing her a glass of water, he pulled out the chair from behind the vacant desk and sat down. With a soft voice he asked, “Complaint? Has someone harmed you?”  

Feeling the tension in the air, Natalia paused for a moment, not sure if she made the right decision. Running her hands through her thick, golden blonde hair, she sighed as her thoughts ran through her mind in a blur. Taking a soothing deep breath, she began to tell the officer exactly what happened.  

Listening to Natalia with care, the officer found a sheet of paper and placed it in front of him. Taking a deep breath, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his silver Parker pen and began jotting down notes. Stopping for a moment, the officer looked at Natalia and asked in a matter of fact voice, “When you say shoved you, what exactly do you mean?”  

Natalia felt her heart rate accelerate as her head throbbed. Doing her best to collect her thoughts, she finally spoke in a voice she wasn’t familiar with, and said, “Thomas had his two hands around my throat, cutting off my air supply. I lifted my right leg in the air and with all my might, I stomped on his left foot, causing him to yelp in pain and loosen his grip.”  

“What happened after that?” asked the officer sitting forward in his seat, listening to every word Natalia uttered.  

Feeling tears beginning to form, Natalia looked at the officer remembering the events of last night. Wiping away the stray tear, she replied with a soft voice, “I managed to get out of his grip and took about two steps when Thomas reached out and pulled me by my hair and began yanking me in all different directions then finally slapped my face so hard, I passed out,” said Natalia as she rubbed her right cheek, still able to feel the sting. 

The officer handed Natalia some tissues. Looking at her with care, he said, “I’ll be right back, I just need to get some paperwork for you to fill out, then I’ll have one of my officers take pictures of your bruises.” 

Natalia sighed watching the officer walk away knowing she couldn’t waste too much time. Taking out her iPad, she thought for a moment of a few places she’d been to through the years and decided to google small towns in the state of Maryland. Shifting nervously in her seat, she lifted her eyes, taking in the occupants of the precinct, making sure Thomas didn’t follow her there.  

Putting her head down, doing her best to focus and find somewhere new to live, knowing she was pressed for time, she finally found a small town and sent the information to google maps. Pulling out her cell phone, she placed a call to the nearest real estate office in the area and gave the kind gentleman all her information and how much she was willing to spend and set up an estimated time to meet. Just as she ended her call the officer made his way back into the small office.  

Handing her a packet of paper work, Natalia began to diligently fill out as much as she possibly could. Once finished, an officer walked into the room and began taking pictures of her bruises. Looking at Natalia with concern, he bent down, took her paperwork, and said in a kind voice, “You’re all set Miss Greco. I honestly believe you should go to the courthouse and file for an order of protection.”  

Plastering a fake smile on her face, Natalia looked at the officer and said, “I’m leaving town and don’t plan on coming back. Here’s my email address if you need to reach me. I’ll be disconnecting my cell phone so no one can trace me or be able to find me.”  

Looking at Natalia with concern, he said, “That’s great Miss Greco, but you still need a cell phone, especially if you plan on leaving town and traveling alone on the highway. Not to scare you or anything, but it’s dangerous out there.” 

Standing up slowly, Natalia gathered her belongings, zippered up her jacket and made her way out of the police station as fast as possible. Taking a quick look around as she made it to the bottom of the staircase, Natalia hightailed it to her car and immediately made her way to the highway. 

After driving in her car for over three hours, Natalia decided to make a gas and bathroom stop, promising herself she wouldn’t take too long. While inside, the smell of food assaulted her senses, reminding her she hadn’t eaten anything yet. Walking over to the fast food line, she placed an order, paid for her food, and began eating.  

Taking her last bite of her chicken sandwich, she popped two Advil's into her mouth and washed them down with water. She continued driving and smiled, the closer she got to her destination. After about fifteen minutes she parked her truck and walked into the real estate office, picked up her keys for the cottage she rented, and was just about to get back in her truck when she turned to her left and noticed a help wanted sign and decided to apply for the position.  

"Hi, I see you're hiring," said Natalia to the man standing off to the side of the bar. "My name is Natalia and I'd sure love to see this place booming with people, especially this time of year." She paused for a second, and then continued. "So if you're hiring, I'd like to apply for the job."  

The older, blond gentleman smiled over at Natalia. "If you have any kind of restaurant experience you're hired." 

"I do. I'm Natalia Greco, pleased to meet you." 

"I'm Angus Cooney, Proprietor of Cooney's Wharf and Tiki Bar," said Angus as he stood up and looked at Natalia. "I don't mean to be rude but are you even old enough to bartend?"  

"I will be twenty-four February 14th," said Natalia taking a moment to look around. "I love the décor here."

Angus watched Natalia with interest, thought for a moment, then replied, "If you’re serious about a job, I need a bartender right away. Why don’t you fill out this paperwork while I figure out a schedule for you.” 

The two of them talked for about an hour, Natalia was given a schedule and they each agreed on her hourly pay. Once settled, Natalia made her exit and headed towards her new home. She put the address in her GPS and was pleasantly surprised when she pulled up and parked. 

The beautiful 1920's white cottage on the waterfront boasted plenty of property, a long dock, and a grill with its own picnic table offering the beauty of the water. The inside of the cottage was completely restored and featured a brand new kitchen, added bedroom, and a renovated bathroom. She smiled as she looked around and started bringing her belongings inside and instantly began making this her home. 

Once she finished with everything, she felt the aches and pains from last night and decided to take a hot bath and soak her body, hoping that would help. She filled the tub with hot water and added some lavender oil to relax, stripped and sunk into the hot water. She put her ear buds from her iPod in her ears and hit the play button as she closed her eyes and let herself completely relax. 

In the process of wrapping her towel around her body the bathroom door opened causing her to scream in fear while doing her best to cover her nudity. For some unfortunate reason the towel wasn't cooperating and kept slipping.  

"Don't move! Breaking and entering is a crime but squatting takes it to a whole new level," said the tall stranger standing there with his arms folded, refusing to move doing his best to take in every curve of the gorgeous creature before him. 

"Get out you peeping Tom!" yelled Natalia standing there, doing her best to keep her towel in place. “I’m calling the police. You, you, pervert.”  

The man actually chuckled. "Peeping Tom? Pervert? I can assure you I’m no such thing. I happen to be an officer of the law.” 

"I'm serious, get out! I just rented this place. You pig." She attempted to move past him but he stood there speechless, not moving. "Get out now. Are you deaf?”  

Finally snapping out of his momentary shock, Jackson raised his hands in defeat and walked out of the bathroom. “Here’s my badge lady. I’m clearly not a pervert nor am I a peeping Tom. 

“Big deal. You’re still in my cottage. Now get out make sure you don’t touch any of my things either. All of my paperwork is on the kitchen counter with MY name on everything.” 

He opened the door and looked at Natalia. "Don't move a muscle." He turned and made his way to the kitchen and picked up Natalia's paperwork, reading the entire contract. Shaking his head in disbelief, he walked to the bathroom stopping short with his eyes and mouth open wide in shock  

She quickly slipped the sweater dress over her head and turned around, not expecting to see the man standing there. 

"Can you stop staring? I'm guessing by now you're aware that I'm not a squatter," she growled. 

The tall man stood there staring at Natalia. "I thought I told you not to move a muscle." 

"And I thought I told you to get out." 

The man smirked over at Natalia. "I'm not ready to leave just yet. After all, I am quite certain I too rented this place."