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

  Vicki Green Copyright 2014©

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form with authorization of the Author Vicki Green©

  Smashwords Edition

  Editor: Kathy Krick @K2 Editing:

  https://www.facebook.com/K2Editing

  Cover Design by Cover to Cover Designs:

  https://www.facebook.com/CoverToCoverDesigns

  Published by Entertwine Publishing:

  https://www.facebook.com/Entertwinepub?ref=br_tf

  Brittany and Leland Hertig on cover:

  Brittany: https://www.facebook.com/BrittanyAufderheidesModelPage

  Leland: https://www.facebook.com/LelandHertigModel

  Photography of Brittany and Leland by Leland Hertig

  *Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18+.

  This is dedicated to all those who have that special person in their lives

  or those that long for one.

  Sacrifice For Love (Beyond Love series #1)

  By

  Vicki Green

  It’s not hard to sacrifice for the one you love,

  Once you find the one to sacrifice everything for.

  From the depths of their love comes misery, despair and heartache. For he loves her like no other and she loves him the same, except they are told that their love can never be.

  Brock and Taren’s love was as innocent as their childhoods. As they grew into adulthood so did their love. Their families were far from friends. Brock from the ‘Blue Collar’ side of the track. Taren grew up in wealth and privilege. However, that didn’t matter to them as they were oblivious to anything but their friendship.

  Brock’s determination causes him to devise a plan to have what is his. What was always meant to be but, will it be the end for him and Taren? Will his sacrifice cost too much?

  A Modern day ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with a twist.

  Prologue

  Taren

  I remember all the times my parents hated me for going over there, forbidding me to and telling me how wrong it was. They’d tried to ground me, take away my more than generous allowance, and scream at me, but they were not able to stop me. They’d said I needed to stay away from them, from him. But I couldn’t. We grew up together, spending all of our time together, playing out in the field overgrown with tall grass and weeds. Laying for countless hours watching the stars, sharing his beat up blanket. How can you stay away from the one you love? The only one that loves you unconditionally. How can you shut off feelings inside you when you don’t want them to, when just the air you breathe when you’re with him is the only thing that helps you want to live?

  My parents think that it’s a phase that I’ll get over and that I’ll conform to how they want me to be. Yeah, right. Where they are proper, prestigious and stuffy, I’ve always been a tomboy. I’ve wanted nothing more than to wear my tank tops, sneakers and capris or yoga pants, play in the field, throw a ball or climb the big dirt mounds at the constructions sites. I love getting filthy and not having to wear fancy dresses. Many times I got home after dark with dirt clumped in my long black hair and under my fingernails that were too long to have fun the way I wanted, just to have the nanny help me wash my hair in the bathtub. Too many times to count. But God. I just wanted to be me. Why couldn’t they understand that? Why couldn’t they love me for what I am and not someone they wanted me to be? Infuriating!

  Then there’s Brock. I’ve spent so much of my time dreaming about him, fantasizing about us taking off together, making a life for ourselves and being together always. My heart is never still when I think of him. My feelings for him always overwhelm me, and I can’t wait until I see him the next time. Every day this occurs and every day I’m planning on how to get out of the house to meet him at our secret place at the far end of the field. I feel like we’re stuck in some modern day Romeo and Juliet movie. The Capulet’s and Montague’s (except it’s the Mills and Evans’) are striving to keep us apart, our love forbidden. And according to my parents, it is very forbidden.

  However, as life gives us happiness, it also has a way to take it away. Secrets are kept that I can’t even tell Brock, for fear that our love will shatter. That is something I will not, cannot, allow happen. I would cease to exist, and I’m afraid of what he’d do if he ever found out.

  My almost happy existence slowly evaporated several months ago, the moment everything crashed down on me and would never be the same again. Brock’s parents own a small bar. It’s a comfortable place filled with laughter, love and friendship. His dad and brother also own a construction business and between the two businesses they make more than enough to have a good life. However, my parents are on the “wealthy” side and don’t condone me hanging around them even though they are more like my family than my own. My brother, Sebastian, was on their construction crew. He worked hard and loved what he did. Even though my parents didn’t think it was good enough for him, that he could do better, they were proud he was one of their crew leaders. He strived for excellence and could do no wrong in their eyes. Then that fatal day. It was the day my world stopped. The day an accident at the site took my brother’s life. It was the day my parents tried to sue the company but failed, and the day that I was forbidden to ever see Brock again. Not only did I lose my brother, and the only one in my family that loved me for me, but I lost the love of my life. The one that was going to take me away from my horrible existence, protect me, take care of me and love me forever.

  I shiver as I remember the last nine months, the last time I left my room, or ate a good meal. The last time I saw Brock. It’s time to give my big girl panties a yank and start to live my life again, even though it’s not the life I want.

  Chapter One

  Taren

  “Taren. Come on, girl. You need to eat and get cleaned up. I swear. You’re wastin’ away in here and look at you. All skin on those bones and no life in those eyes. What you need is a bath and some good food.” I watch as Mimi flutters around the room, opening drawers, then walking into my deep closet and reappearing with a dress and heels. She’s been my nanny since I was born but has become more like a mother to me than my own. “You know your parents are entertaining tonight. You must keep up appearances.” She stops as she sets my dress down on the foot of the bed, the shoes on the floor beneath and looks at me. Sighing, she walks around and sits down next to me and takes my hand, the other one patting the top. “Girl, I know you’re hurting but Sebastian wouldn’t want you to go on this way. He’d want you to get out there and see Brock, be with him and have the fun you always had. He wouldn’t want you to stop living, honey.” Her words make me cringe and shake. I haven’t heard Sebastian’s name spoken since the day we buried him. My heart flutters with the mention of Brock’s name. No one is allowed to utter his name in this house. I laugh internally at the thought of living how I want to, defying my parents again and sneaking out of the house to see Brock. However, with the added security they’ve installed and my cell phone confiscated along with my computer, I have no way to be successful at any attempt. I feel her pat my hand again, bringing me out of my thoughts and focus on her. “You know I’d help you any way I can, child. I’ve always helped you but they’ve made it so much harder now. Come. Let’s get you cleaned up and get something in your tummy and you’ll feel better.”

  Will I? Will I ever feel better again? Giving up, I allow her to help me off
the bed and follow silently into my bathroom. Even the hot water with my favorite lilac bubble bath doesn’t help my mood but the feeling of her massaging my scalp as she washes my hair does feel nice. I close my eyes and think about how much of a bitch fate is. I know in my heart that it was fate that brought Brock and me together. Then why is it we’re apart? Why was Sebastian taken from me? So young. So much life ahead of him. How can I live without them both? Cruel. Fate is cruel and a bitch.

  “I have a surprise for you when we’re done.” Her eyebrows raise and her eyes widen and I blink fast to clear my head. “There now. Get dried off and dressed and I’ll be waiting with your surprise in your room.”

  A surprise? I wonder what it could be. She leaves and I quickly climb out of the tub, dry off and get dressed. This is the most energy I’ve had in months, but still my heart is heavy. I brush my teeth, put on makeup and brush out the snarls in my hair. When I enter my room, she’s sitting patiently on the bed, and my eyes snap down to a piece of paper she’s holding. My heart begins to race with all the thoughts swarming in my head of what it could be. She pats the mattress next to her and I pull my dress up around me as I sit down. “I know this has been difficult for you, honey, and I know this isn’t what you want for your life but I think it’s for the best.” She sighs and pushes some of my damp hair behind my ear. “You know I’d do anything for you. I think sometimes life gives us things to make us stronger even though at the time you think you’ll never be able to live again. But I also think fate jumps in at times and throws us more curve balls, adding to the dismay or maybe even making things better for a bit. Either way, we must remain strong. I don’t know what fate has in store for you, my darling, but I do know that this….” She holds up the paper, and my eyes follow. “This is meant to be. I don’t know how long it will take for this to happen but I truly believe it will, someday. You must stay strong, obey your parents and get back into their good graces. You have to do this even when it’s so hard to do, even when you don’t want to. It will all be for the greater good later. Trust me.”

  I practically tear it as I grab it from her hand. She stands and kisses the top of my head and my eyes scan the letter. I look up, deciding I need to slow down to take it all in, and watch her leave the room. Pushing myself back on the bed until my back hits the headboard, I get comfortable and then begin to read, my heart choking me.

  Taren,

  Fuck, I miss you. I know why they won’t let me see you or let me near you. But shit, I want to hold you in my arms so badly, touch your sweet soft skin and tell you that everything will be ok. I went crazy after the accident and wanted to go to the funeral but Pop wouldn’t let me. He told me I needed to stay away but all I really wanted to do was come to you and comfort you. I’m so sorry, baby. You know it was an accident and that there’s no way Pop would have wanted anything bad to happen to Bast or anyone else for that matter. God, Taren, I’m so sorry about Bast. I know you two were close, and you know I loved him like a brother. Fuck! I want you in my arms right now, run my fingers through your soft hair and hold you tight. I want to be there for you, take care of you. I love you so much, baby. Promise me you’ll stay strong. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself until we can be together again. You must do what your parents want, for now, get them back on your side then I will take you away, far away. We’ll always be together. We were meant to be together. Promise me. I’ll try to get another letter to Mimi soon. Stay strong for me. Please take care of yourself until I can take care of you. I love you so much!

  Yours always,

  Brock

  Tears leave my eyes as I crush the letter to my chest, my eyes closing making them fall down my face. With renewed strength, I wipe the tears away and open the drawer on my night stand, hiding the letter under my notebook and push the drawer closed. Hope. A glimmer of hope. He’s out there, waiting for me, and I need to do whatever it takes to get to him to be together again.

  My stomach turns as I walk down the stairs and head towards the formal living room. When I enter, panic hits me hard as I look at the couple sitting on the couch across from my parents and a young man sitting on the chair between them. He’s not a bad looking guy, actually rather good looking, with dark green eyes, dark hair, short and well-kept and a strong jaw. I know what my parents are trying to do. They’ve wanted nothing but to find me what they call a “proper young man” to marry me, combining our family’s wealth. All I can think about in that moment is Brock’s face, his eyes pleading to do anything for us to be together. I play my part well, smile and nod at each of them and take a seat in the chair opposite the young man. I feel like I’m on display, probably because I am. My body heats. I feel stifled, panicked, strained.

  My eyes snap to my dad when he begins, “Darlene, Grant, Jeffrey. May I introduce you to our daughter? Taren.” I shift in my chair when his eyes meet mine, his brows lowering over them.

  “Very pleased to meet you, Taren. This is our son, Jeffrey,” Grant states with his hand out to the young man. I would say that Jeffrey is as uncomfortable as I am, however, he gives me a look with hunger in his eyes and my unease just tripled.

  “Nice to meet you all,” I reply to Grant, ignoring Jeffrey completely.

  “Well, now. Grant, how about I refresh your drink. Dinner should be ready soon.” They begin to talk all at once since the pleasantries are done. I take a chance to look at Jeffrey, who hasn’t moved and is still looking at me. His eyes looking like he wants me for dinner instead of food. “Taren?” My head turns swiftly to my dad to await my orders. “Why don’t you take Jeffrey out to the deck and show him the scenery.” Oh, yes. Throw me to the wolves in an isolated spot.

  “Very well. Jeffrey?” I don’t bother to look at him as I rise, and we walk down the hallway towards the back deck. I feel the heat of his hand on my lower back and stiffen. We walk out onto our elaborate deck, and I walk until I place my hands on the railing overlooking our huge well-manicured backyard. Since I haven’t been out of the house in so long I lean up on my tiptoes and gaze across the vastness knowing I can’t see where I want to in the dusk of the day. Through the high trees, over a small road and then beyond at the back of our field is the small shack Brock and I built. We laughed and sweated as we built it together. It’s not much, but a place that we could go to be together without prying eyes.

  “Taren?” My feet hit the floor when I hear him speak my name and put my fake smile back on as I turn my head to him. “Okay, so we know this is more than awkward. Nothing like our parents trying to set us up and I can tell you don’t want this anymore than I do but….” Why do I feel like he’s going to make me a deal and why do I want to hear it so badly? I look into his eyes, a smirk on his face and shiver. “Look. I say we let them hitch us. You can have your boyfriend on the side and me my whores. It’s a win-win.” Just as I suspected. He’s an asshole. An arrogant asshole.

  I smile sweetly and turn to him fully. “I have no intention of marrying you or anyone else my parents try to hook me up with for that matter. However, I wouldn’t be against pretending that we plan on marrying yet defer once it gets closer. I’m sure Daddy will want a long engagement to fully exploit us being together. In the meantime, I’m sure your father will be more than willing to join partnership with Daddy, thinking we’ll soon be family.”

  His grin broadens as he cocks his head. “I like the way you think, Tare. I think we may be able to work something out.”

  I walk over, my long fingernail pressing against his starched white shirt, his head lowers as his eyes watch it move up until I reach the bare skin on his neck and he swallows hard. “Just so we’re clear. My name is Taren and there are no side benefits, strictly appearances. That’s my final offer.”

  He looks up into my eyes as he smiles, showing his gleaming white teeth. “Like I said. I like the way you think. Even though….” His hand grasps mine, pulling my fingernail away from his skin, and he brings it up to his lips, kissing the top of my hand. “I’d love side benefits with you
.” My body stiffens once again with the thought of him touching me in any sexual way then his eyes widen. “Oh, don’t worry, Taren. I will keep my end of the deal. Trust me?” Not with an inch of my life. I nod slightly and relax just a bit. “Good. We have a deal. Shall we?” He releases my hand, placing it in the crook of his arm, and as we walk back inside for dinner the only thing I can think of is how soon I can be with Brock.

  Brock

  “Hey, Brock! Time for a cold one!” My head turns with the sound of Kane’s voice and cold one. Thank God for my brother. He’s the only one, well besides my mom that kept me from making a huge mistake and going over to storm Taren’s house to get her. And I mean he actually hit me, knocking me down at my parent’s bar and right in front of everyone. But I know he did it out of love for Taren and me. I give him a quick nod and finish unloading the skid of wood. Between working construction for Pop, with Kane as foreman, and also working part time at his bar, I’ve been plenty busy, but I still think of her constantly. What she must be going through. She’s basically being held captive in her own house, dealing with the death of her brother and no one is letting me near to comfort her. All I can think about is holding her in my arms, sitting with her in our shack, or staring up at the stars at night while laying on our old beat up blanket. Then again, she’s all I think about from when I first open my eyes every morning until I close them at night, it is then that I dream of her.