Shattered: A Salvation Society Novel Read online

  Shattered

  Bella Emy

  Shattered

  Copyright © 2021 by Bella Emy

  In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property.

  If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by the author who can be contacted at [email protected].

  Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

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

  Copyright © 2021 Bella Emy

  Cover Designer: Bella Emy

  Editor: Voluptuous Book Editing

  Proofreaders: Kelly Drudy & Ana Quinn

  To my amazing husband, Bryan, for sticking by me through all these years and believing in me.

  I love you so much and don’t know where I would be without you.

  I love you to the depths of the universe.

  You’re my person.

  Love always,

  ♡Bella

  Contents

  Letter to the Reader

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  The Salvation Society

  Books by Bella Emy

  Acknowledgments

  About Bella Emy

  Letter to the Reader

  Hello Reader!

  I hope you enjoy Lexi and Kalen’s story & love them as you do all the original characters from the Salvation Society original series.

  In this story, you’ll find a little bit of Catherine & Jackson, but mostly their daughters Erin & Kennedy.

  You may even see a little bit of Natalie & Liam ;)

  It was so exciting to write in this world,

  & I just hope I made you all proud with my contribution.

  Bella’s Heartbreakers, it took so much out of me to write this one,

  and I hope you all love it like you do the rest of my stories.

  I just want to continue making you guys proud!

  All my love,

  ♡Bella

  Chapter One

  “A few hours to go until we get this party started!”

  I laugh at my best friend’s words through the phone. “Erin, it’s a little bit longer than just a few hours.”

  I look up at the clock directly in front of my desk. It’s a quarter to five on Friday afternoon. I’m so ready to get this weekend started.

  Well, that’s a lie. I can’t wait to get this weekend and the upcoming weeks started. Tomorrow morning, I’ll be boarding a plane and flying back to California, where the wedding will take place. And after what seems like an eternity, I’ll be seeing my best friend, Erin Cole, once more. Her sister, Kennedy, is getting married to the man of her dreams, and they’re having a destination wedding. It just so happens that the destination isn’t so far away from their hometown.

  I’ll be spending the next two weeks out there, and once I get back to New Jersey, I’ll be starting my new life. I’m leaving this job for a better opportunity in a new career. It’s risky, but owning a bar-lounge has been something I’ve wanted to do for the longest time. Sure, being a receptionist has been getting the bills paid since I’ve been on my own, but I can’t see myself doing this for the rest of my life. Yeah, my boss is great and I love him to pieces, but this isn’t my dream.

  Now that I’m able to get my own little lounge, I can’t wait to get started. A week after I get back from the vacation of a lifetime, my new place will open, and I can’t wait.

  “Yeah, but who’s counting?” she says, chuckling.

  Obviously, the both of us are.

  I look up at the clock again. Only two minutes have passed. “Why does it have to be at Starling Paradise though?” I cringe as thoughts from the past come crashing through the front of my mind.

  “Because Kennedy scored a sweet deal booking the venue with someone we have known all our lives. But trust me, girl, you don’t have to worry. He’s not even going to be there.”

  I bite down on my bottom lip. “I hope not. I don’t think I could face him after everything.”

  “Lexi, that was so long ago. But Kalen Starling is so filthy stinking rich that I’d be surprised if he’d hang around the resort. You know he’s got maids for his maids and chauffeurs for his chauffeurs.”

  She’s laughing, but honestly, she’s not joking. Kalen Starling is disgustingly rich. After a rough upbringing, struggling it out, he worked his ass off and opened his own resort and island getaway, which just so happens to be one of the hottest wedding venues and vacation spots around.

  I take a deep breath and decide I’d better hang up and get my work finished so I can leave here on time. “Erin, let me call you once I get home. I need to make sure I leave everything spotless so I can take off.”

  “Okay, girl. Later.”

  We hang up the phone and shaking my head, I look down at the paperwork before me and try desperately to concentrate. I need to finish this one last letter for Mr. Elmers so I can be done here and then enjoy my vacation. If I want to go have fun, I’ll need to get this done and leave everything completed.

  My eyes dart from the screen in front of me to the paperwork on my desk, and I highlight certain parts that need to go into the letter. I type the name Marcos Phillip Simson and then enter his address: 695 Maplewood Drive, Hicksville, New York.

  I look down at the paperwork in front of me and notice I’ve made a mistake.

  “Aww, fuck!” Like I can afford to make errors right now. I’m never going to get out of here if I don’t focus. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and then hit the backspace. I fill in the correct spelling of the contact’s last name. It’s Simpson, not Simson.

  God, if it keeps going like this, I’ll never get done.

  RING, RING!

  My eyes avert to the blaring phone on my desk as the red light indicates an incoming call comes through. The conference room’s extension is displayed on the little rectangular screen. Is there a meeting I was supposed to attend and I somehow forgot? Great. Maybe that’s where everyone is.

  I quickly flip through the pages in the planner on my desk, but I don’t have any meeting scheduled in for today. Why would they hold a meeting on a Friday afternoon? And on my last day, no less. I pick up the receiver and speak. “Yes?”

  “Alexa, it’s Mr. Elmers.”

  “Yes, Mr. Elmers?” I shake my leg nervously. They’re probably all waiting on me to start the meeting.

  “Please come see me before you leave today. There are a few things I’d like to go over with you before you go. I’m in
the conference room.”

  “I’ll be right there.” I bite the inside of my cheek. Maybe he wants to wish me well. I’ve been his right-hand woman since I’ve been working here.

  I push away from my desk after saving the contact’s information and then my eyes glance up at the clock. Five minutes to five. It’s going to be a late night. Oh well. At least my clothes are already packed.

  Most of them, anyway.

  As I walk down the hall, the knots in my stomach grow stronger. Why the hell am I even nervous? I’ve been working here for years. This is not something new.

  But the bar, Lexi’s Luxurious Lounge, is something I’ve dreamed of for years. It’s going to be perfect. I just can’t believe this is my last day here, and I’m about to start on this new adventure.

  As I continue making my way down the hall, I reach the first window to the conference room. I quickly peer inside but don’t stop moving. Why the hell does it look so dark in there? I was sure Mr. Elmers said he was waiting for me there. Maybe he stepped to the bathroom or went to take a call in another office.

  I shrug and walk to the door, knocking before entering. There’s no response, so I turn the knob and make my way in. How odd. I flip my head to find the light switch in the confines of the darkness, and as I do, my questions are answered.

  “Surprise!” My co-workers shout, jumping out and showing themselves as the lights go on. Cheers and whistles fill my ears.

  All around the room, decorations encompass the area and plates and cups with forks and spoons are scattered across the table. A big rectangular white box sits in the center. Colorful balloons hang on the walls surrounding the room.

  I take in the familiar faces smiling back at me. I can’t believe this was all for me.

  I’m taken aback as I wasn’t expecting this. I probably should have figured it out though. I’ve been working with most of these people for the past six years; I should have known they wouldn’t have taken off without at least saying good-bye. Unlike some people.

  “Oh, my God. Wow, everything looks so beautiful,” I say, taking everything in.

  Mr. Elmers emerges from the crowd, holding a woven basket wrapped in pink see-through cellophane. He smiles as he walks over to me. “It was so difficult not to spoil the surprise, but we’ve been planning this for the longest time. Here, Lexi,” he says, handing me the basket. Then he leans in and kisses my cheek.

  “Thank you so much.” We part and I step back. “I can’t believe you guys did this all for me.” I place the basket on one of the chairs. An envelope with my name on it sticks out from the side.

  My closest work friend, Joanna, steps forward. “Of course, we did. You’ve been part of Elmers & Elmers for as long as I can remember. This place wouldn’t be what it was if it weren’t for you. There’s no way we wouldn’t have said good-bye and happy birthday the proper way.”

  I chuckle. “My birthday’s not for another two weeks.” And I’ll be far away on vacation in California after Kennedy’s wedding.

  “Yeah, but you won’t be here, so hush,” Joanna says, coming toward me and taking me into her arms. “Happy Birthday, Lexi. We’re going to miss you so much around here.”

  My eyes begin to water. I can’t believe this is really it. As we pull away, I see her eyes reflecting mine; she’s about to be in tears, too.

  “Aww, Jo… we’ll see each other. Don’t worry about it,” I say, holding my arms as she looks me in the eyes.

  She smirks. “Oh, you’d better believe it, and I’ll be at the lounge on opening night with bells and whistles!”

  We chuckle and embrace again.

  “Let me go grab my phone, so we can take some pics of you with everyone. I’ll be right back,” Joanna says, walking to one of the chairs and fishing in her purse for her phone.

  “Well, let’s get this show on the road!” Mr. Elmers announces, opening up the box on the table. A white frosted birthday cake with the words, “Happy Birthday and Lots of Luck, Lexi!” sits inside.

  “How pretty,” I say, stepping forward and looking into the box.

  Sabrina, the accounting manager, picks the cake up and places it onto a platter, then she begins placing candles on top. “Sorry, Alexa. We’ve only got twelve candles.”

  I giggle and tilt my head. “Hey, twelve’s fine. I wouldn’t mind going back to my pre-teen days.”

  As those words leave my lips, I wish I hadn’t gone there. No way in hell would I want to relive my teenage years. They were too difficult and too painful. At least they were by the end.

  “All right, everyone, crowd around Lexi, and let’s get some pictures in before she blows out the candles and cuts the cake,” Jo exclaims.

  My co-workers stand next to me, with others behind me, poking out their heads so she can get some pictures of us. I take at least five with the whole company in them, and a bunch of single shots with the people I’m closest to.

  Once I’ve blown out the candles and everyone enjoyed a piece of cake, people start coming up to me two by two, wishing me the best and saying good-bye.

  As the crowd in the conference room begins to shrink, I go up to Mr. Elmers and thank him for the wonderful opportunity he gave me here at his company and for everything else he’s ever done for me. He wishes me well once more and leaves for the evening.

  I’m about to grab the basket from the chair and then go back to my desk to pack my bag and take off when I suddenly freeze in place.

  “Lexi,” a voice that has always made me cringe booms from behind me.

  I slowly turn on my heels and dread for the moment when my eyes meet with his. “Hey, Mark,” I finally say.

  His dimpled smile takes over his face as he runs a hand through his thick, blond hair. “Couldn’t let you leave without saying good-bye. Come here, girl.”

  Mark doesn’t wait for me to answer or go up to him. Instead, he grabs me and takes me in for a tight embrace. I shiver as my chest crashes into his and I hear him groan in delight. Ugh.

  I pull away. He’s always given me the creeps. Mark has been wanting to sleep with me for the past two years when he started working here as a salesman for the company. He’s always been so forward and even asked me out after two weeks of him starting here. I politely declined, and you’d think that would have stopped him from trying.

  But it didn’t. He would try whenever he’d get the chance, and each time I’d turn him down.

  Everything was fine until last year’s Christmas party when he drank a bit too much and started getting too touchy-feely for my likes. I didn’t report him to HR or even let Mr. Elmers know about it. But his hand on my thigh at the bar that night made me super uncomfortable. I’ve kept my distance from him since.

  His eyes take me in from head to toe, and once again, I’m getting the creeps. So gross. Okay, so he’s definitely not a bad looking guy. On the contrary, he’s actually really good looking, but he’s just not someone I’d want to pursue. Something about him just turns me off.

  Again, he runs a hand through his hair and then chuckles. “So, I know you never wanted to go out with me before because we used to work together, but now that you’re leaving this place, maybe we can grab a drink or dinner some time.”

  Yeah, like that was ever the reason.

  I’m about to turn him down for the millionth time when Jo comes up to me with the basket from Mr. Elmers and whisks me away. “Sorry, Mark. I have to go over some particularly important things with Lexi before she leaves, and I know her boyfriend is probably waiting out front for her, too.”

  “Boyfriend?” he mouths. His expression dumbfounded.

  Thank you, Jo.

  I want to kiss her right now. Thank God for my friend. No, I don’t have a boyfriend, but I’m so glad she said that to get me away from Mark.

  She flips her head around as we’re about to leave the conference room and says to Mark, “Just make sure you sign the card for her on the desk over there and leave your number so she can call you sometime.”

  I loo
k back at Mark who’s smiling nervously. He goes looking for the card to sign.

  Turning back, she chuckles, and we walk toward the front of the office. “Don't worry, girl. There’s no card back there. There’s only the one we already signed from Mr. Elmers, which should be the one in this basket. You’d think Mark would have remembered. He signed it just a few hours away.”

  I giggle as we reach my desk. “What would I do without you, Jo?”

  She smiles back and leans against my desk. “I don’t know, but thankfully, we’ll never find out. I’m going to kick your ass if you don’t keep in touch.”

  “You know I will.”

  She tilts her head with a playful smirk. “Good, now let’s get your car loaded up.”

  After all my things are in my car and we’ve said good-bye for the twentieth time, I take a look at the basket sitting next to me on the passenger’s seat. I grab the white envelope and pull out the card.

  As I open it, a check for five thousand dollars sits nestled in between it.

  “Holy shit.” I look through all the signatures on the card, and on the bottom right side, I see Mr. Elmers’ words.

  Dear Alexa,

  Thank you so much for all your years of dedication and time spent at Elmers & Elmers.

  You will always be part of our family, and should things not work out for you at your new endeavor, know that you are always welcome back and we’ll take you in with open arms.