The Twisted Beats (The Kings Of Mayhem #1)
Prologue
LIVIANNA
A Week Before Now
Perfume Promises & The Men Who Break Them
Two names carved into a heart and I can’t tell which one will destroy me first, only that neither will let me go whole.
“Livianna Hemings, what’s wrong with you?
” My newest and closest friend, Quinn Foster, opens the folding glass wall that leads to the outside of my new house in Pacific Palisades.
“Your fashion design business is exploding, you’re moving into this mansion, and you’re acting like the world is ending. ”
Her question takes me straight to the problem.
My heart splits in half, where one side is with my first love, Callum ‘Cash’ Mayze, my brother’s best friend and the lead singer of the world-renowned rock band Mayhem, and the other with my dad’s friend Jaxon Crowne, the older billionaire venture capitalist with whom I’ve had a secret love affair for over two years.
“It’s my romantic life that’s the issue.” I step out onto the deck area that overlooks the Pacific.
“What about it?” Her blonde hair catches in the evening breeze as she follows me.
My brown hair whips across my face.
I tuck it behind my ear, stroll to the iron railing, and rest my palms on it as I gaze out over the pool. “I know you think Callum is wonderful, but there’s so much history there, and I’m not sure I’m in a place where I can pick up where we left off?”
“He’s been romancing you all week and proving he’s changed.” She faces me as she leans against the railing. “Does this have to do with the famous mystery man you claim has only been there for your sexual needs as you’ve grown into a multi-millionaire fashion mogul?”
I bite down on my lip and nod. That’s all I can do because having a deep discussion with Quinn about Jaxon would bring me to tears I won’t shed.
“You told me you weren’t seeing him anymore.” Quinn’s eyes narrow with concern. “Livianna, talk to me. Cash has been great to you, but you’re acting like someone died.”
“You know how complicated my past with him is.” My voice cracks. “I don’t want to get hurt again.”
“Which one of them is going to do that?” She studies my face. “Because right now, you’re torturing yourself by trying to choose between Cash and some ghost you refuse to name.”
The words hit like a slap. Quinn doesn’t know the man she’s referring to is her boss, the thirty-eight-year-old billionaire she works for.
“Quinn, I don’t want to name him because the media always gets involved and spins everything I’m involved in. I don’t want the intrusion.”
“That part I understand.”
I gesture toward the house. “My dad’s team did a great job on the remodel, don’t you think?”
“Yes, it’s beautiful and secure.” She gazes up at the state-of-the-art security system camera perfectly hidden along the roofline. “The paparazzi can’t touch you here.”
“That’s one reason why I love it. It’s a bit extreme with the stealth monitoring, but my dad insisted on the safety measures.” I release a heavy sigh and march myself right back into dangerous territory. “But I don’t think it can protect me from my love life issues.”
“I don’t see the obstacle.” Quinn crosses her arms. “Livianna, you’re twenty-three years old.
Cash has been in love with you since you were teenagers.
It’s so romantic, and that’s a love story everyone cheers for.
Meanwhile, your mystery man doesn’t seem to care.
What exactly is complicated about that math? ”
“It’s not that simple,” I whisper.
“Then make it so.” Quinn’s stance softens. “Tell me what’s going on because I feel like you’re hiding something.”
“I’m not going to discuss this anymore. There’s too much I need to work out on my own before I make a rational decision.”
I close my eyes, and the weight of both men presses down on my chest. Callum, with his dangerous blue eyes, and the way he’s been trying to win me back. Jaxon, with his commanding presence and the secret that binds us together.
Two men. Two completely different worlds. One love too messy to understand and one that could break me in half.
“Quinn, I’m in love with someone I shouldn’t want, and that alone could tear my world apart.”