Adored: Book 1 (The Beloved Series)

  Adored

  Book 1 - The Beloved Series

  MJ Masucci

  Contents

  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

  Next in Series - Devoted

  Other Books

  Keep in Touch

  Reviews

  2018 ©MJ Masucci

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

  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 prior written permission of the publisher, except in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  ISBN 978-0-9985662-7-6

  This book is dedicated to my husband, Lawrence. Without his love, support and encouragement, I never would’ve embarked on this journey.

  Chapter 1

  Julian Gennaro was slowly becoming drunk. Stumbling to the rocking chair by the large stone fireplace, he sat down so hard that he almost spilled his whiskey. Today was the four-month anniversary of Nina’s disappearance. Since then, Julian had spiraled into a deep depression.

  No one gave a shit about him except his best friend, Maureen Kelly, but she was pursuing her acting career in California. Any family that might have cared was dead. He was alone and miserable. Nina had been the light that beckoned him away from the darkness. When she disappeared, he sank back into the bowels of hell as he liked to call it.

  Julian rarely drank to this extent but the occurrences of earlier had set him on edge. He was accustomed to the beatings, but the stares and whispering was something he would never accept. He replayed the entire day in his head.

  Bear, his husky who was almost a year old, had nudged him awake that morning just before the sun made its appearance over the ridge. The dog hadn’t really been his; he’d been Nina’s. Julian wasn’t a dog person and preferred not to have pets at all. The dog probably needed to go so he opened the door, shivering at the frigid air against his shirtless torso.

  He had slammed the door to shut out the cold after the dog passed through. Bear had the run of the twenty-eight acre forest surrounding the small two-room log cabin. Julian was sure the dog would take his time doing his business and nosing around the property for a rabbit to chase. He set the coffee maker and went to take a quick shower.

  By the time he finished showering, Bear was scratching at the door and the sun was peeking in the window. Julian threw on his flannel robe to let the dog inside and was greeted by Tony and Joey, Nina’s older brothers. They often paid him a visit a few times a month and it was never pleasant. Bear rushed through the open door and Tony pushed Julian by the chest into the cabin, stamping snow onto the hardwood of the cabin floor.

  “What can I do for you?” Julian asked, but he already knew.

  Tony rubbed at his gloved fist, “I think you know. It’s been awhile.”

  It had been awhile and Julian calculated the last time they had come to pay him a visit, enough time for his wounds to heal.

  He flexed his jaw, “Why do you keep doing this? It won’t bring Nina back.”

  “I think you know something you ain’t telling us. Someone just don’t disappear without a trace, now do they?”

  Joey laughed and removed his gloves. Julian steeled himself. He much preferred Tony deliver the blows. Joey had been a boxer in his teen years. He knew how to work the body. At least neither of them touched his face. Joey approached and a low growl could be heard from Bear.

  “Put that fucking dog in the bedroom,” Joey yelled at Tony, who grabbed the dog by the collar as he avoided his gnashing teeth.

  Bear had been six months old when Nina had disappeared. He was smaller then, less than his weight now of almost sixty pounds. With the first encounter, he knew that he must protect his master and he attacked Joey and Tony. They wrestled with the dog and had thrown him against the wall. He scurried under the bed to lick his wounds while they beat the shit out of Julian.

  It had been this way for months, always a visit to try and pump information from Julian in the form of a beating. He had no information to give them and he wouldn’t, ever, even if he had known something. One minute Nina was several paces behind him and the next she wasn’t. Frantically searching for her was no use in the snowstorm. He barely got back to the cabin before the wind created a total whiteout.

  His cell couldn’t get a signal and driving the six miles to town on the winding road would have been suicide. Julian should have attempted it because without Nina, he might as well be dead. She lit his world.

  Joey moved closer, circling Julian who stood his ground. Fighting just made it worse as he had unfortunately discovered. He set himself in a stance and waited for the first blow, but it never came as buzzing could be heard from Joey’s pocket. Julian waited in nauseating anticipation as the man answered his cell phone then looked to his brother.

  “We gotta go,” Joey said to Tony. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back.” He slapped Julian in the face, hard enough to make his teeth rattle.

  “Why?”

  “You know why. Nina ain’t in front of us and you know something. The only reason you ain’t dead is because you’re sorta family.”

  They tramped through the heavy wooden door, slamming it as they left.

  Julian rubbed at his cheek where Joey had hit him. He was sure it would bruise, but at least he escaped the usual. There was a bad weather front expected and he needed to get to his chores before it hit. Bear was howling at the bathroom door and he went to the dog, who immediately nuzzled against his leg. He was glad he had decided to keep Bear after Nina disappeared. He was his only real companionship.

  Julian prepared himself for town. His thick black hair had dried in a tousled mess while he entertained his visitors, making it impossible to comb. After he dressed his muscular body in dark blue jeans, a thick navy blue wool sweater and pulled on his red down coat and snow boots, he pulled on a ski cap. If he couldn’t straighten his hair, he would hide it.

  He said goodbye to Bear and walked the trampled path of snow to his oversized garage. His pickup truck was waiting for him. On the way to town, snow flurries began to pelt the windows. It was earlier than the news had said and he was glad he got on the road when he did.

  Julian parked his truck and went into the local grocery store to the stares of several people. It had been this way ever since Nina disappeared. Rumors had started almost immediately, fueled by her father, Vito and her brothers. He was accused of murdering her and hiding her body on his property, but no such claims could be substantiated.

  He intently stared back at the accusers with his smoke gray eyes. Screw them, I’ve done nothing and I’m just as much a victim as Nina. Most turned away from him, but some met his eyes with their own intensity. Julian didn’t care. The sad thing was that these were people who had known his family for years.
Some had worked for his father before his untimely death.

  He had heard the murmurings. Death followed Julian Gennaro wherever he went. It was peculiar that he was always surviving while his loved ones died. Of course, there was no evidence that Nina was dead. The police had scoured his property for days, subjected him to interrogation and he even submitted to a polygraph test. They found nothing but a broken man who had just lost his wife to mysterious circumstances.

  Maureen had flown from California to be with him. Julian was thankful for what a wonderful supportive friend she was. However, her presence only added gasoline to the fire. Some said he killed Nina to be with Maureen. It was simply not true. He never had any type of interest in dating her nor her in dating him.

  He went about the aisles getting food and other necessities. The predicted storm was going to be bad and he wanted to be prepared. This could very well be a forty-eight hour dump of snow. The day before he had packed the small wood shed next to the house with logs. He primarily used the pot-bellied stove and fireplace for heat even though he had a gas line connected for the furnace.

  At the checkout, Julian was greeted with an accusatory glance by the cashier. She was Nina’s best friend, Madison. He disliked the woman from the first time he met her. She was loud and obnoxious with no off switch. It was a wonder that his wife chose this woman as her closest friend since she was the direct opposite. He tried to be civil for Nina’s sake. He thanked her for his purchases and left the store.

  The road home was already coated with a thin layer of snow and he had to be careful on the winding mountain pass. At the cabin, he unpacked his groceries and then settled in the rocking chair by the fireplace. It had been Nina’s favorite spot and he often occupied it for comfort.

  Julian had few creature comforts, but he did have electronics as well as a satellite dish for internet. He needed these things since he worked as a graphic artist. He didn’t have many clients since his referrals dried up overnight with the false claim that he was a murderer. Money didn’t matter to him; he had plenty but he needed to be kept busy.

  He logged onto his laptop and checked his business email. Several junk emails appeared, but one particular one with the subject line “Where is she” caught his eye. Probably another kook trying to harass him. He thought about deleting the email but for some reason, felt compelled to open it. Clicking on it, he read the contents, feeling his heart speed until he could feel the pounding in his ears.

  Mr. Gennaro — You don’t know me, but I have proof your wife is alive. Don’t reply to this email. I’ll contact you with further information in the near future.

  Julian read the words over and over. Who was this? The email was from a Gmail account, meaning it could easily be deleted. As much as his heart wanted his wife to be alive, he couldn’t be sure this was legitimate. Why not just call him instead of email? His business phone number was listed. Why torture him with a promise? He rose from the chair and began to pace. Bear looked up from his spot next to the fireplace and watched him with his bright blue eyes.

  Julian stopped to look out the window. The snow was coming down harder now; it was barely noon. The forecast had said blizzard conditions and he could hear the wind whipping around the corners of the cabin. The flakes swirled violently, slapping against the windows.

  He went to settle in the rocking chair again and glanced at the calendar that hung over the small table in the corner. His eyes fixed on the date and he began to calculate in his head. Four months to the day. Nina had been gone that long. It was more than Julian could stand.

  The cupboard over the sink held two bottles of liquor, whiskey and amaretto. He needed a drink to calm his nerves. He removed a juice glass from the drain board and filled it half way with whiskey. The first sip burned as it went down, but that dissipated when it got past his throat. The second and third were less inflaming and by the fourth swallow he barely noticed it.

  This was how he spent his afternoon. Drinking and staring into the fireplace. At one point, his emotions got the best of him. Salty tears slipped down his face until his body shook. No one understood his pain or even tried to understand.

  By 3:30 PM, the daylight was starting to fade and Julian was feeling dizzy. The last glass of whiskey he poured was still in the glass. He put it down on the raised hearth and began rocking and humming one of Nina’s favorite tunes, Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” It wasn’t his type of music, but he sang it for her.

  He must have dozed off because when he awoke, the only light in the cabin was the fire and it was slowly dying. He got up to stoke it and put on another log. Bear was scratching at the door and whining. Dammit, poor dog probably has to go again; it’s been hours.

  It was then that Julian heard it. It was faint at first, a banging which got louder.

  “Shit, I bet one of the shutters got loose from this wind.”

  He pulled on his coat, gloves and boots slowly opening the door so the wind wouldn’t push it back and out of his hands. Bear surged forth ahead of him. He expected the dog to go bolting down the stairs, but instead ran the length of the porch to a huddled form. Julian cautiously picked up a log from the container near the door for protection in case it was an animal looking for shelter, warmth or food.

  He approached the form and called Bear away, but the dog was stubborn. He remained hovering, whining. As Julian got closer, he was sure the shape belonged to a woman or a child because the outline was so small and petite. It was face down and wearing inappropriate clothing for this type of weather. A thin white windbreaker, moccasins and sweat pants covered the body.

  The windbreaker’s hood was pulled over the person’s head and he could not see the face. The banging continued and he quickly secured the latch on the shutter that had slipped free. Dropping the log on the floor, he knelt by the body and touched it. It felt almost frozen and he scooped the form in his arms, turning it so he could see the face.

  He almost dropped the body. It was a woman and not just a woman; it was Nina.

  He practically tripped over Bear rushing to get her into the house. The dog was at his heels as he entered and slammed the door. Julian pulled the hood off her head and her lids fluttered, her beautiful dark eyes fixed on him as she said his name, “Julian.”

  Her eyes closed again and he brought her to the fireplace to strip off her clothing. It was frozen in places and as he worked, the warmth of the cabin softened them so they could be easily removed. When she was naked, he brought her to the bed they had shared and wrapped her in a blanket then brought her back to the fireplace sinking onto the hearthstone.

  Nina was as cold as ice and her face was wind burned. He held her in his arms using his heat to gently warm her and as he did, he began to sob. Bear stood guard, every so often licking her face and softly whining. Julian could feel her in his arms, she was thin and when he had undressed her, he noticed how her bones protruded.

  Whoever had taken her had starved her and God knows what else. All the pain he had endured over the past few months was over, but at what price?

  Chapter 2

  Eight Months Earlier

  Julian walked into the classroom with anticipation. This was the first time he would be teaching an intermediate painting class. He had been a substitute at the local high school, but that was just a day here and there. This was solely his course. Finally. Several times, he had contacted the Annex for the Arts, a specialty arts center, to teach and they had turned him down. He had forgotten about it since his graphics design business was starting soar and was surprised when they called him out of the blue. Now, he would be teaching twice a week.

  Though Julian was busy, he decided to take the job. It wasn’t the money that meant so much to him, but rather being able to teach eager minds to cultivate their artistic skills. It’s what gave him the most pleasure.

  He greeted the students as he walked to the front and couldn’t help noticing that most were women. Julian Gennaro was a handsome bachelor who rarely dated. He was just over six
feet tall and his thick unruly black hair almost always seemed to settle on his forehead just above his smoke gray eyes. He’d once been told by a former lover that they were dreamy.

  He began by writing his name on the chalkboard behind his desk then took out the roll to call attendance. When he was finished, two young women entered the classroom. They chattered away as if they weren’t aware that class had already begun.

  “Uh, ladies, please try to be here on time. Class starts at seven.”

  One of the women, a tall, heavyset brunette with piercing blue eyes made a noise like she was clicking her tongue. The other, a stunning raven-haired dark-eyed beauty, apologized in the sweetest voice Julian had ever heard. He quickly turned away for she had affected him. His voice cracked as he told them to find a seat.

  When Julian turned back around, she was hidden behind an easel. He breathed a sigh of relief because if she were in his view, he would never be able to concentrate. Several minutes into class and he assigned a project for his students to start. He taped a picture of a bowl of fruit to the chalkboard and asked them to try and duplicate it.

  As the class progressed, he went around the room offering tips and assisting students who were unsure how to start, then he arrived to her work area. She was sitting behind the easel and there was nothing on the paper.

  “Are you having trouble, miss?”

  Because she had come in late, he neglected to look up her name on the roll.