Poison and Wine: A Perilous Trust, #2

By Paige Lynn Hill

"Grief has gotten into bed with me, but can I kick it out in favor of something more comforting?"

 

Lilah's life has taken a turn for the worse and grief is her new homeland. But her cousin Inara is intent on dragging her out of the doldrums. But her cousin Inara is intent on helping her kick depression to the curb. Efforts that seem to pay off when she meets a man named Matthias.

 

Matthias is usually too busy with the organization to hang out in nightclubs. But when he runs across a beautiful woman that confuses him for someone else he is intrigued, to say the least. Maybe that's why he's got his handler looking for her all over NC.

 

Ultimately, their relationship is filled with more than enough heat to burn them both. But Lilah isn't sure she's ready to forfeit her morality to date a mob boss. Yet, death haunts them both, and they may never find the truth without each other.

 

Can they strike a balance between good and evil to bring down the King Pin responsible for both their suffering?

 

Poison and Wine is a must-read in this duet, A Perilous Trust. If you like mobster billionaires, sexy tension, with plenty of suspense, then you'll love the conclusion to Paige Lynn Hill's romantic suspense duet.

 

Pick up a glass with Poison and Wine Today!

 

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Disclaimer: HEA ending, cannot be read as standalone

• Language: English
• Publisher: TRS Books
• Release date: May 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201251017

Book preview

Prologue

What do you want to eat?

Lilah Morgan could hear her fiance, Wyatt’s, heavy footsteps on the stairs as he made his way into the living room, ready to put on any movie of her choice. She imagined he had changed into her favorite sweatpants that always showed off his ass.

Her head was half sticking out of the cabinet as she peruse their snacks. She opted for the easiest but most straightforward snack to put together in popcorn and chips. Lane always appreciated Wyatt’s overindulgence of salty snacks---less so today---because she was on a diet and knew she would look like a hippo next to her maid of honor and cousin, Inara. A video vixen, she had an hourglass frame that left Lilah feeling like her mermaid gown was a wrong choice.

Tonight, Lilah was officially two days away from her wedding to Wyatt Fuller, a police officer with the Chicago Police Department and the man who saved Lilah’s life.

She met him when her baby sister, Southern, was murdered, and it appeared like her killer wasn’t done. He became her confidant and helped her come to terms with the fact that the shy, curly-haired nurse couldn’t save her sister, but she could still save herself. It hurt to know that Southern’s life had been taken as retaliation for some crime her boyfriend had committed. Her life weighed nothing more than the man she was with, and they only wanted Lilah for what they thought she was hiding for him. Both of their parents lived in North Carolina, and Southern was the only family she had in Chicago. It devastated her when she lost her baby sister.

Southern’s death---losing this dynamic spirit that sometimes overshadowed even Lilah—was enough to send her into a great depression. But then Wyatt appeared, ready to save the day. It allowed room for her bruised heart to heal, and in the process, she found what was missing.

She had been more than a little resistant.

Southern had always been the one that men craved, that and her feisty spirit, she knew how to get men to chase after her even if she didn’t want them.

Bring the buttered popcorn and ruffles chips.

What movie do you want to watch? Lilah asked, pulling out some bowls from the cabinet over the fridge. She smirked to herself as she marveled at how well she was coming to know her fiance's mannerisms now that they lived together full-time.

Don’t worry; I’ll be fair. It’s your turn to pick.

Lilah loved the smile she heard in his voice. Wyatt could get so upset at work sometimes that she didn’t always get to see it. I know you already have something on deck, Wyatt? Lilah teased expectantly.

He got up and poked his head into the kitchen. Why, if you must ask, I like Raising Arizona for tonight's movie. Only if we don’t find something else, of course, it's still your pick, Lilah. He smirked then, clearly realizing that my indecision made for slim pickings on movie night.

She abandoned the snacks and went over to kiss him on the lips. What are we drinking tonight, Wyatt?

Apple juice, Wyatt replied with a smile. We’re going to be drinking like a fish over the weekend. Best to save our stomachs for then. And my uncle will be there, and no one will be able to out-drink him, but I’m sure he will want me to try.

My fingers skipped across his chest which was covered in a white v-neck shirt. In a couple of days, we will be husband and wife.

Wyatt cocked his head to the side and looked down at me. You know, if you feel like we’re rushing into this, we don’t have to do it, Lilah. I’m willing to wait as long as you.

As if anchoring her against whatever she needed to say next for fear that she would float away, Wyatt’s arms wrapped around her waist as he pulled her in closer.

A moment of truth had arrived. Lilah knew that Wyatt only wanted confirmation of her feelings. She could walk away now, and he wouldn’t be angry. Wyatt was too much of a man to force another woman into holy matrimony for his selfish needs.

You run away from danger, not happiness, she answered in a firm, quiet voice, picking invisible lint from off the collar of his shirt.

They were different in the same way that they were the same. Wyatt loved danger, and he chased it down in the name of saving others. The one man who would run into the burning building, and would automatically believe it if someone told him that an oil tycoon stole their last dollar. Wyatt stood up for the average man.

It was easy to understand. Lilah often felt that same way during her time at the hospital. For the most part, she wanted to be an advocate for the uninsured. Then her sister died, and it became harder to comfort someone else when she was drowning in her grief.

But what Wyatt was alluding to was threatening to leave her breathless. Lilah knew that Wyatt would always put her feelings first, even if they were contradictory to his own.

He’d never ask of her more than she could give.

A lot of this is familial expectation, Lilah. He put his finger under my chin and forced me to look up at him. The only thing I expect is for you to be happy.

Lilah shook her head, desperation overcoming her that she didn’t realize existed. I want to marry you more than anything.

Wyatt looked as if he was almost relieved to hear it. His eyes welled up with tears. Good, because I want to marry you, Lilah Morgan.

Wyatt squeezed her hips lightly as she made a move to escape his warm embrace so that she would stay put. Lilah, seriously, I know what people are saying about me. Like maybe I took advantage of your grief over Southern. If you feel this way even a little bit, you don’t have to marry me.

Had she thought it would do any good, she would ban her blabbermouth auntie from the wedding, but she had only said what the others were thinking. But Lilah knew that Southern would approve of her choice and be happy that she was finally gettin’ some. At this point, all she wished was that her family saw Wyatt the way she did.

Everything happened so fast between us. I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe you felt like you never got a chance to catch your breath. Wyatt stated earnestly. He pulled back and grabbed both her hands. These statements weren’t easy, and it was tearing him up inside, but they needed to be able to have tough conversations. If you’re okay with where our relationship is now, then we can put the pause on everything.

My eyes nearly fell out of my head. If this is your way of backing out, think again. You’re the only reason I’m still standing now. That doesn’t mean I owe you my life or my love. But I give it freely to a man whom I’ve only known to be strong, and kind, and easy to q. He’s a pretty hot piece of ass too.

Wyatt grinned. Having his ego stroked was never his thing, but everything out of her mouth was so sexy.

I don’t want out of this wedding. I don’t even want you to have a change of heart. But if those church doors open, and you’re not there, I just don’t know Lilah, he trailed off, feeling a tightness in his chest. There were moments when I thought I’d lost you and I’d never see you again. These last few days have made me realize that if I lose your love, it’ll kill me. It will hurt just as bad as any gunshot wound. I can always pause and rethink some things, but don’t ask me to walk away from my wife. Don’t expect me to be a gentleman who could ever leave you.

That was the most truthful thing that he could have ever said, Lilah thought. Wyatt loved patiently, yet strongly like someone who had waited his whole life for me. Maybe he had, as he had never fallen in love before.

You once stood up to a police chief and a detective and told them that I was the man that you trusted with your life. His smile lit up the room. I need you to do the same again when you stand up in church, Wyatt said, with loving confidence. He brought her hands up to his lips and whispered, except this time, you tell the world that you trust me with your heart.

Stunned, Lilah couldn’t imagine all this originating from a snippy aunt. Do you trust me with yours?

Always, Wyatt responded quickly. Lilah was beginning to think that he hadn’t been serious about anything more since joining the police academy.

How could Wyatt not realize that she felt the same way? We both know our love was born out of pain, but it didn’t live there, Lilah thought.

She asked the only thing that she could considering the circumstances. Can you trust that I love you not for what you did for Southern but for everything you’ve done for me?

Wyatt’s lips brushed across my knuckles as he kissed them gingerly. Why do you think I proposed to you so soon? We’ve only been settled a few months. I’ll tearfully follow you anywhere. He released my hands and sighed. But I wont push you down the aisle.

Since Wyatt dropped her hand, she went back to the counter and resealed the bag with chip bag clips.

Good, because I plan on skipping down that aisle, Lilah said with feeling as she placed the leftover chips back in the cabinet.

You’re really going to forget the popcorn seasoning, Wyatt said, with wide-eyed wonder. Do you really know me, woman?

Get out of here, you big baby, so that I can get your apple juice. She cleared her throat, stopping Wyatt in his tracks. I love you. You made me believe in love. After everything, I proved that I could be stronger, but I wouldn’t know it was in me if it weren’t for you. You make me feel sexy. I was always an ogre next to my sister. She paused and retrieved the popcorn seasoning from a cabinet, cradling it in her hand with her back turned to him. Loving you has been no chore, and It has been a joyous wonder knowing that I get to do it for the rest of my life.

You are so beautiful, Wyatt exclaimed, embracing me from behind. Don’t you ever forget it! Southern may have been a shiny diamond, but you are gold. Not everyone knows what the real thing looks like, he insisted.

Wyatt loosened his grip, but when she turned, he had already bounded from the room. She smiled, uncapping his favorite cinnamon donut seasoning and sprinkling it over the chips and popcorn.

Are you going to be in the gym for like ten days because of this? She asked with a light chuckle.

Lilah picked up the large bowl of snacks and two plastic cups of apple juice and carried them into the living room.

Wyatt, Lilah noted, seemed thoroughly engrossed in the movie. His eyes fixated on the screen ahead.

Why’d you start the movie already? Lilah asked, placing the bowl and glasses on the coffee table as she looked up at the screen.

Her stomach twisted as she turned to stare into Wyatt’s vacant eyes. Baby, Lilah screamed as she smacked him across the face repeatedly. A man still alive would have pushed her off by now.

His head lulled to the side, and she saw a bullet hole lodged into his temple. Blood trickled down the side of his face like rain on a stormy day.

Don’t leave. Please don’t go. I want to go too, Lilah cried. Her head fell into his lap as she laid on the floor between his feet. Tears obscured everything from her vision, including the sparkling bling on her ring finger. I want to go too.

She dialed 911, but the phone fell out of her hand before she could even speak.

Her sobs soaked his feet. Please don’t go.

Chapter 1

Lilah

3 Years Later. . .

Lilah wasn’t even aware she was crying.

Certainly hadn’t felt her head fall against the passenger side window as her eyes emptied of all emotion.

She couldn’t recall her cousin, Inara, pulling out a small kleenex to dab at her wet cheeks before gingerly reapplying some blush.

She gave not one thought to the dress that Inara had spent hours picking out. The only dress that managed to produce a smile on her face when they bought it off the rack. Instead, she was staring at the bullet wound on the side of Wyatt’s temple, or slipping in her sister’s blood over and over again. Music was blaring from the club only a few steps away, and she hadn’t noticed.

The whole scene might as well have belonged to another universe, for all Lilah was participating in it. Everyone was filled with so much life and joy. Yet she was the ghost haunting the place from an accident in ‘95.

As if she couldn’t feel any worse, all she had to do was look at Inara’s disappointed face to wish that she hadn’t come at all. Inara had been planning this outing for a month. It took two months just to convince her to go. She didn’t need her cousin feeling responsible for her well-being. So she endeavored to come, if only to get Inara off her back.

Nothing short of bringing them back from the dead could save her.

The inevitable nature of her pain bounced around in her chest like a stray bullet. How long did Inara expect her to stay here? Two hours should be more than good enough.

She couldn’t avoid the fact that she lost the two people closest to her in such a short period.

And Wyatt’s killer was still out there.

For Gawd’s sake, what was there to celebrate? Or be happy about?

Lilah tried to smile, but it came out as the smile of a kidnap victim as she smoothed down her burgundy satin wrap dress.

She even allowed Inara to help her out of the car.

The music was suddenly in surround sound. Even the loud chatter of excited party-goers drifted over to her. She concentrated on the sound of her stilettos clicking against the asphalt pavement of the parking lot.

Any little detail helped her focus on rejoining society instead of running back to the car like a hermit. Adorn by Miguel was more than enough to hype up the party goers around them.

You’re going to dance like nobody’s watching and leave all your cares on the dance floor, Inara uttered the statement like it was a family motto, throwing it over her shoulder at Lilah as she handed the security guard her ID. I expect you to embrace it right along with the hurt feet, she laughed.

Lilah kept the same half-smile plastered on her face like she was on a game show and had stage fright. She had straightened her hair and knew she was looking pretty. The least she could do was force a smile.

At least the guard saved her from having to respond in any meaningful manner. Once inside, the club had a honeycomb-like vibe with a black and yellow color scheme. It screamed grown and sexy. However, the large crowd also didn’t promote the dance like no one was watching, portion of tonight’s events.

And she was already, ‘embracing the hurt feet.’

Inara’s voluptuous rump would ensure that they got all the looks. The horny and desperate would have Lilah throwin’ up the cold shoulder all night. Inara appreciated the attention. It would kill Lilah.

All of which was a good enough reason to avoid the drama. Not follow her up the stairs to the second-floor VIP lounge. Inara knew the guard, and he always let her up. Lilah wondered if she tripped and accidentally sprained her ankle if the nightmare would be over.

She only agreed to come to this silly club for one reason.

Inara needed to stop worrying. Thanks to her cousin, Lilah had to vow to her parents that she’d make some strides towards normalcy. Frankly, she would have to wrestle it to the ground because she was starting not to recognize it. Being with Wyatt felt like getting a taste of ice cream, to find out that your home fridge was only full of beets. And she couldn’t call up her best friend to bemoan the unfairness of the world because she was keeping Wyatt company in Heaven. Her only baby sister.

Admittedly, she only met Wyatt because he was the cop assigned to investigate her sister’s murder. At one point, they were even cordoned off in a safe house together. But that gave them time to search each other's hearts and find their home there.

He was determined to protect her no matter what it took. It was the only time that she hadn’t felt alone since her baby sister’s death. But she couldn’t allow the grief of his passing to infect everything around her, including her family. When she put this dress on, it was meant to be her mental armor. It was infused with fun, and it was going to make her stronger. She was going to learn to dance again. That meant putting up with everything that comes next.

It was worth it.

Her heart nearly catapulted over the balcony overlooking the main dance floor at the boisterous laughter coming from a group in the corner. It was loud enough to overshadow the DJs music styling of Chrisette Michele’s, What You Do. When she looked over, the offender of such a gruff, all-encompassing laugh was one man. His mere presence towered over the men around him.

He looks like an older version of Wyatt, she murmured, almost in disbelief.

Inara turned and followed her gaze.

She made a step toward the mirage as if it were no more than a product of the Strawberry Honeysuckle Sparkler she grabbed on the way in.

These faux hallucinations ain’t gone make me take you home, Inara chided, following up behind Lilah, who seemed drawn to the man.

Once Inara got wind of her plan, she skidded to a stop in front of her. The table was all but silent now.

You girls want to dance, join us, or both, a younger gentleman cat-called. He wasn’t interested in either woman. It was meant to break the tension that fell over the table.

Inara didn’t bat an eye as her gaze burrowed into Lilah. Her voice lowered to pin-drop levels as she whispered, he is not Wyatt, Lilah.

For a painfully excruciating second, Lilah hadn’t moved a muscle. It hadn’t registered that Inara was the one talking.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the mobster, Matthias Cazden.

Sorry guys, too many Sparklers. I guess we’re in La La Land now, Inara grinned, breathlessly dragging her away.

It wasn’t that Lilah believed that Wyatt had returned from the dead. It was a shock. Instant disorientation consumed her and created this fluttery feeling in the pit of her belly. The surprise didn’t derive from her wanting Wyatt to be sitting there but because the man represented everything she wanted.

She wanted to grow old with Wyatt.

She would count every gray hair until he found her unbearable, and she’d kiss every wrinkle with much adoration if given a chance.

He was a symbol of the future she’d lost. This controlled and distinguished gentleman drew her in with one gaze.

But she would never see Wyatt Fuller with such cold and brooding men. They appeared to be men that frequently found the joys of life in booze and women. Their obnoxious voices probably reached new heights in any setting as they tried to hide crushing insecurities. This man was completely different from the one that had treasured her heart so close to his own.

Someone stole Wyatt from this world. A statement that settled in her bones like malignant cancer. And while this man possessed remnants of Wyatt’s facial features, he could never have his brave soul. If nothing else, that man cared about other people.

Besides, Wyatt Fuller had been dead for three years. He wouldn’t have aged 20 years in three either.

This gentleman was nothing more than a stranger.

Why did he have to cross paths with her?

The cynic in Lilah thought the devil was playing a cruel joke on her. Wyatt was the only obstacle stopping her from getting off the couch. Now she had run into his lookalike 15 minutes being at the club. The old her knew that she had worried her cousin, Inara, to no end, and if she didn’t say something comforting, her auntie and uncle would be staging an intervention with her parents.

Inara looked as if she wasn’t sure she should smack her or throw a drink in her face to wake her from this stupor.

I need a drink, Lilah somberly breathed as she looked away from the subject of her stunned adoration.

That was all Inara needed to hear. The moment she said drink, Inara dragged her back to the first floor. She kept the fruity drinks coming until every song was Lilah’s song and the hours flew by. Her hips swiveled to the same beat no matter what music played.

Inara could barely keep up.

She stopped trying when an awkward cutie approached. Lilah paid it no mind as indeed it would break into her resolve and send her into a fit of tears. It reminded her of the ugly day when Southern met Jim again.

I’m going to the bathroom, Lilah croaked.

Okay, I’ll come with.

No! Her drink bouncing against the bar top. Stay with your cutie. She was the one that needed a break.

Lilah casually looked up at the balcony to see her dreamboat staring down at her with curiosity. She knew how to decline a drink, curb a man she wasn’t interested in and navigate a women’s bathroom with the stealth of a ninja. But she didn’t know what to do with her grief when it was staring down at her in another form.

Thoroughly at a loss, she couldn’t look away from him.

Inara’s nose was so open she wasn’t picking up on any tension. Hurry back, Lilah. Don’t make me send out a search party, she nagged harshly, her fingers tracing the outline of her suitor’s watch. She was about ready to take him home.

Lilah tore her gaze away and grabbed her purse.

After I come from the bathroom, I’ll ask if we can leave. Or maybe I’ll catch a cab alone, Lilah muttered, looking down at the ground to avoid eye contact with anyone.

Lilah clung hopelessly to the wall as she made her way to the bathroom. There was a long line. Her head fell into her hands as it looked like the club wasn’t prepared to give her a break on anything.

The dark hallway sported one fluorescent light that began to tilt in her mind. So Lilah leaned against the wall for support. She fell in line behind five other women. How long is the wait? I just need some cold water on my face.

Havin’ a little too much fun? Clover sneered, a former detective turned investigator.

How? Why? Lilah cried, her chin trembling through unspilled tears.

What? You’re not happy to see an old friend.

Clover was the only other person who knew what it meant to miss a good guy like Wyatt, his former partner. She had no relationship with his parents. However, Clover was driven out of the department by his relentless pursuit of a truth that didn’t exist.

Why was he in North Carolina?

Such a tangible reminder of her lost love almost made her forget that she had a restraining order out on the man. The constant reminders of Wyatt were threatening to leave her a puddle on the floor.

You’re not supposed to be here, Lilah managed to reply evenly. Despair