Betrayal: A Bella Terra Deception Novel
Scarlet Deception Novel [3]
Christina Dodd
A Signet Select Book (2012)
Rating: ****
* * *
Product Description
Only New York Times bestseller Christina Dodd could bring you this series about three brothers, tormented by their pasts...
At nineteen, Noah Di Luca was Bella Terra's golden boy, handsome, confident, and untouched by the shadows that tormented his brothers...or so it seems. Driven by ambition, beautiful teenage Penelope Alonso fought her way out of the ghettos. During one hot summer, they came together in the sweetness of first love...until his past reared its ugly head and Noah walked away.
Nine years later, Penelope returns, never imagining she'd see Noah or that one glance would wake their fiery passion. As peril builds around them, Penelope has one choice: to survive, she must once again trust the man who betrayed her.Even with terror stalking through Bella Terra's streets, love may be the most dangerous choice of all.
Customers who like books by Nora Roberts and Barbara Freethy might enjoy this story.
From the Author
Only beloved author Christina Dodd could bring you the Bella Terra Deception series with the three handsome, sexy, tormented Di Luca brothers who seek justice, and sometimes, find love...
Noah's relationships were joyous, short-term and trivial. He fell a little in love with each woman. They fell a little in love with him. But his lovers knew the score, and they were never surprised when he kissed them good-bye.
He had broken his own rule only once.
Now, as he watched his brothers, he envied them fiercely. They had what he would never have.
Eli, always solemn, always mature, laughed and tried to wrap Chloë in his sweaty, dirty arms while she scampered away screaming, "No! No! You're yucky!" But she didn't scamper very fast.
Rafe willingly made a fool of himself by flexing his muscles while Brooke made cooing noises and ran her fingertips over his pecs.
Nonna laughed aloud at their antics.
And an image rose unbidden in Noah's brain. Penelope Alonso, her heavy, long, black hair hanging in a braid down her back, her exotic brown eyes peeking from beneath the sweep of long, thick, dark lashes, her full lips smiling as she watched him make a fool of himself ... for her ...
He told himself it wasn't surprising he had broken his rule for Penelope. He had been almost twenty, and still grieving over his ruined future and the inevitable loss of his own life.
More important, she had been everything he'd ever wanted: tough, proud, joyous, ambitious, hard-working, smart and brash. He supposed she hadn't been beautiful; a little short, very curvy, a quarter white, a quarter Hispanic, and half something else ... she didn't know who her father was. Not that she'd cared. Nor had Noah. Because he'd seen her, and he'd loved her, and she'd loved him back. At the end of that summer, he'd realized what a bastard he'd been, and he'd sent her away.
Noah promptly put her image out of his mind. He saw no point in remembering Penelope. She'd moved on, and he was glad. Because no woman deserved a man who kept secrets, a man who had plumbed the depths of dishonor, a man doomed to die for his misdeeds.
Thank God Penelope Alonso was the only woman who had ever tempted him, and thank God she had moved forever beyond his reach...
Readers who enjoy Nora Roberts and Julie Garwood will enjoy BETRAYAL. To read more about Bella Terra and the Di Luca brothers, visit christinadodd.com/bellaterra/
“MY GO-TO AUTHOR.”
—Jayne Ann Krentz
PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS
OF CHRISTINA DODD
TAKEN BY THE PRINCE
“Delivers sensual sizzle.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Excitement, passion, and romance.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“Witty, adventurous, and unexpected.”
—Fresh Fiction
IN BED WITH THE DUKE
“An action-packed Victorian era romance.”
—Midwest Book Review
“A wonderful tale of love and intrigue…a story to be savored for its colorful history, dark intrigue, and sweet tenderness.”
—TwoLips Reviews
“An adventurous romantic fairy tale.”
—The Romance Dish
THE BELLA TERRA DECEPTION NOVELS
REVENGE AT BELLA TERRA
“Once again Christina Dodd is thrilling readers with her imagination and intricate plots.”
—Night Owl Romance
“Dodd concocts the perfect blend of romance, drama, and excitement.”
—Romantic Times
SECRETS OF BELLA TERRA
“An incredibly entertaining story.”
—Romance Junkies
“CHRISTINA DODD HAS A KNACK FOR TENSE,
HEART-POUNDING ACTION.”
—Errant Dreams Reviews
FURTHER PRAISE FOR
CHRISTINA DODD
CHAINS OF FIRE
“The best of the series so far…unique—and edge-of-seat thrilling.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“The urgency of plot ratchets up the emotional drama, giving the story an exhilarating edge.”
—Romantic Times (4½ stars)
CHAINS OF ICE
“High-stakes action and high-adrenaline adventure provide the literary fuel for the latest addictive addition to Dodd’s scorchingly sensual the Chosen Ones series.”
—Chicago Tribune
STORM OF SHADOWS
“Something for everyone who enjoys paranormal romance.”
—Darque Reviews
“A riveting new series.…The action and romance are hot! I have no idea what is next in this series, but…the suspense is killing me.”
—The Romance Readers Connection
“Fabulous urban romantic fantasy…a stupendous thriller.”
STORM OF VISIONS
“The taut, suspenseful plot, intriguing characters, and a smooth, natural style show that Dodd has earned her place on the bestseller list.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A fast-paced tale with intriguing paranormal elements, and treats them to a deliciously steamy romance.”
—Darque Reviews
“Quirky, unusual, fun, tense, surprising, sexy, and wild!”
—Errant Dreams Reviews
THIGH HIGH
“A joy to experience!”
—Romantic Times (top pick, 4½ stars)
“[C]harming and likable characters…an enjoyable read.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Christina Dodd is a master.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“A MASTER ROMANTIC STORYTELLER.”
—Kristin Hannah
INTO THE FLAME
“Sizzling sensuality and dark emotions.”
—Romantic Times
“Once again Christina Dodd weaves her spell.”
—Fallen Angel Reviews
“[A] stunning tale.”
—Romance Reviews Today
INTO THE SHADOW
“Ms. Dodd has once again created an amazing novel.”
—Eye on Romance
“Another stellar book from a most talented author!”
—Romantic Times
“Sexy and…darkly appealing.”
—Rendezvous
TOUCH OF DARKNESS
“A sweeping saga of good and evil.”
—Library Journal
“Readers will be riveted until the final page.”
—A Romance Review
SCENT OF DARKNESS
“The first in a devilishly clever, scintillatingly sexy new paranormal series by Christina Dodd.”
—Chicago Tribune
“[A] fast-paced…paranormal with a full, engaging mythology.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A scintillating and superb novel!”
—Romantic Times (4½ stars, top pick)
…AND HER OTHER NOVELS
“This romantic suspense novel is a delicious concoction.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A delight.”
—Booklist
“Sexy and witty, daring and delightful.”
—New York Times bestselling author Teresa Medeiros
NOVELS BY CHRISTINA DODD
Danger in a Red Dress
Thigh High
Tongue in Chic
Trouble in High Heels
In Bed with the Duke
Taken by the Prince
THE BELLA TERRA DECEPTION SERIES
Secrets of Bella Terra
Revenge at Bella Terra
THE CHOSEN ONES SERIES
Storm of Visions
Storm of Shadows
Chains of Ice
Chains of Fire
THE DARKNESS CHOSEN SERIES
Scent of Darkness
Touch of Darkness
Into the Shadow
Into the Flame
CHRISTINA
BETRAYAL
A BELLA TERRA DECEPTION NOVEL
A SIGNET SELECT BOOK
SIGNET SELECT
Published by New American Library, a division of
Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street,
New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto,
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices:
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First published by Signet, an imprint of New American Library,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
First Printing, April 2012
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Copyright © Christina Dodd, 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
ISBN: 978-1-101-57989-3
SIGNET SELECT and logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Printed in the United States of America
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
ALWAYS LEARNING
PEARSON
For Joyce,
thank you for so many years of sharp critiquing
and true friendship.
Cilantro will always burn in our firepit
on the summer solstice
in remembrance.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Leslie Gelbman, Kara Welsh, and Kerry Donovan, my appreciation for your support. Thanks to NAL’s art department led by Anthony Ramondo. To Rick Pascocello, head of marketing, and the publicity department with my special people, Craig Burke and Jodi Rosoff, thank you. My thanks to the production department and, of course, a special thank-you to the spectacular Penguin sales department: Norman Lidofsky, Don Redpath, Sharon Gamboa, Don Rieck, and Trish Weyenberg. You are the best!
Thank you to Roger Bell for reading Betrayal, and always being so kind in your critiques.
Table of 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
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 1
For Penelope Alonso Caldwell, the distance between Portland, Oregon, and Bella Terra, California, was five hundred miles and nine years.
She hadn’t expected to remember the way. As she and her mother left Bella Terra, Penelope had been crying so hard.… Her eyes had been swollen; every breath had hurt; her eighteen-year-old self had thought she would die of agony.
But she must have soaked it all in: the scent of pine, the asphalt slashed by sun and shadow, the sudden descent into the valley, where grapevines stretched in unending rows, where boutique wineries nestled in groves of trees, where here and there an old-fashioned farmhouse sat sometimes ramshackle and abandoned, and sometimes… sometimes it was tended lovingly by the descendants of the very family that had built it.
The highway plunged from the mountains to the flats created by the wanderings of the Bella River and took a turn to the south.
Then she knew she was close to her destination. She knew by the strength of the sunshine against her knuckles on the steering wheel, by the breeze against the arm she rested through the car’s open window, by the intoxicating scents of sunshine on fresh-turned earth, of ripening peaches and wine-scented oak barrels. Here in Bella Terra, spring hung on the cusp of summer, and the air smelled like broad green leaves, like freshly mown grass, like breathless fir
st love and young hope dashed.
What a fool she’d been.
So why did this place smell like home?
It did not. Could not. She would not let it.
Penelope had been raised in Los Angeles and Portland, and she’d lived most of her adult life in Cincinnati. Hot pavement defined the smell of home, so she concentrated on the odor of asphalt baking beneath the California sun, and watched for her destination.
She’d been afraid she wouldn’t recognize the Sweet Dreams Hotel, but there it was on the right, twenty-five rooms of ramshackle inn glowing with the same violent turquoise paint that had graced it nine years ago.
She turned into the parking lot and noted the changes: The doors had been replaced; a new sign pointed the way to the office; the trim had been changed from vibrant peach to staid white, as if that change made any difference to the overall tackiness of the place.
The Beaver Inn was next door, a rough-and-tumble bar that used to be the hangout for the farmworkers in the valley, a place where fights were a nightly occurrence and everyone carried knives. Nothing about it said the bar was anything different today: A variety of fluorescent beer signs blinked in the windows, the smudged door had a high, diamond-shaped window, and a flatbed truck was pulled into the shade with the hood open and two guys armed with wrenches staring disgustedly into the engine compartment.
Right now, with her finances iffy, she could afford this place.
She parked her mother’s aging yellow Volvo C70 in front of the motel office and walked in.
A large man with massive shoulders and no neck sat reading something on an e-reader.
He looked like a football player. He looked like a familiar football player.
She delved into the depths of her memory for his name. Primo Marino.
When she’d lived here, he’d been the town’s pride and joy, a running back for UCLA and one of the NFL’s most dazzling candidates for the draft. Apparently his bright career had ended here, working behind the counter at his family’s dilapidated motor inn.
She wondered what had happened to dash his bright future… but mostly she hoped he didn’t remember her.
From the bored way he surveyed her, she would guess he didn’t.
“I’d like a room for a week,” she said.
“A week?” He looked her up and down, then glanced around at the worn office and raised his eyebrows. “Really? A week?”
“Yes. I’ve got business in Bella Terra and I need a room for a week.” He scrutinized her with more interest, as if she were an anomaly in this place—she was wearing flip-flops and jeans and a T-shirt that said, LORD OF THE ONION RINGS, so she wasn’t overdressed. But maybe she was overclean.