Chapter One

Elise

“Fuck,” I groan. I come to a stop at the corner of the block and put my hands on my knees to catch my breath. It’s early still, so I have time to get back. I hate running when others are out and moving around.

I don’t even like this fucking neighborhood, but my Aunt Jennifer insisted that I have this place when she died. Then, the bitch had to go and get terminal cancer. I’m still angry at her for dying, but it’s the only emotion I know that won’t lead me to getting lost in grief. The house, the town, the people… Everything is new. I graduated college with a master’s in computer engineering and came here, so it sat empty for a while. I came by occasionally to check on things, but I paid others to maintain it.

I took my time getting here from the other side of the country, so I have been here for a week. Everyone already gets on my nerves. The HOA president, Carol, is a raging cunt. Her husband is a dumbass. She must have some damn good pussy, because I don’t know how else he can put up with her. She never shuts the fuck up.

Everyone is weirdly nice, but secretive at the same time. They will smile and be friendly with me, but then whisper and stare at me from a distance. It’s obvious that I am an outsider to them, but they are all fake as fuck anyway. My plan is to just keep to myself and enjoy this giant, empty house in peace. I don’t need my neighbors to be my friend in order to be happy.

“Morning Elise,” Laura says with a chipper tone as she comes jogging up to me. Laura lives across the street from me and is the only one that I don’t hate entirely. I can only take her in small doses, though, because she is a bit too peppy for my liking. She seems sweet so far, but everyone here seems to be hiding something.

“Hey,” I say, smiling.

“You’re out early,” she says, as if she already knows everything about me.

“Yeah. I run pretty early every morning,” I remark. “I like to get back before the neighborhood wakes up.”

“Well, we can be running buddies,” she says with a big smile. “I like to do the same.”

“I’d love the company,” I lie with a smile.

“Oh, yay! It’ll be fun,” she says. “Just us girls.”

“Mhmm,” I say. “Well, I’m going to get back. I have some work to get done.”

“You work?” she asks.

“Mhmm. Yeah, I like to keep busy,” I say.

One of the many strange things about this place is that no one has a job. I don’t know how they all have the money they do, but they just sit around all day with their nose in the air. Who knew being haughty and uptight paid so well?

“What do you do for work?” she asks, pretending like she is interested.

“I am a computer engineer,” I say vaguely.

“Oh, well, that’s cute,” she says with a forced smile. Just another reason they see me as an outsider. God forbid I contribute to society.

“Mhmm. Well, have a good day,” I say as I put my earbuds back in and start jogging back to the house.

I let my music carry me along, ignoring the burning in my calves, and make my way back home. Luxe is a gated community and is admittedly beautiful. The lawns are perfectly manicured, and everything is pristine. The guard shack blends in perfectly but is always staffed by armed guards. Makes me wonder why they are so paranoid.

As I am walking down the pathway to my house, I hear a voice as soon as I take my earbuds out. “And who might you be? I don’t believe we’ve met,” a man says. His voice is oozing authority and dominance. When I turn, I see a man much taller than I am, standing directly behind me. I gasp in shock, which only makes him smirk.

“Elise Hart,” I say with an attitude. “Could you not sneak up on me? That would be nice.”

“Nice to meet you, Elise,” he says, offering me his hand. I hesitantly shake his hand and he doesn’t let go right away. Not until I pull my hand away.

“… and you are?” I ask. “Besides on my property.”

“My name is Lucian Voss,” he says before pointing to the house next to mine. “I am your neighbor.”

“Wonderful,” I say flatly. “Should I expect you to sneak up on me often?”

Lucian’s smirk grows into something devious. It’s not frightening, but it’s indicative of his capabilities. He slowly drags his emerald green eyes down my body, and it sends a chill down my spine.

“Something like that,” he says simply, his eyes finally meeting mine.

“Well, as riveting as this conversation has been, I have something else I need to be doing. I’m sure you know the way home,” I say with a sweet smile. “It was nice to meet you, Luci.”

“Lucian,” he reminds me, trying to keep his demeanor pleasant.

“Oh, I heard you. Luci seems fitting for you, though,” I say, letting my smile grow into a grin. “Ta-Ta, Luci.”

I turn and walk up the stairs to my porch before entering my home. I can feel his eyes on me the entire time. When I shut the door behind me, I burst out laughing. “He’s going to kill me in my sleep,” I laugh to myself, and I walk to my office.

I sit down and turn on some music before setting in on my newest project. I love being able to work remotely. As long as everything is submitted on time, I have the freedom to do whatever I want. I have fallen into the pattern of getting everything done sooner than it needs to be because it gives me time to not only double check my work but also to have more time off while getting paid at the same time.

I’m working for not even an hour when there is a knock at my door. After shutting off the music, I go and see who it is. I know better than to open the door without checking to see who it is first, and groan when I see that it’s Carol.

“Hello, Carol,” I say with the sweetest voice I can manage.

“Ms. Hart. I don’t know what kind of neighborhood you think this is, but the HOA will not tolerate loud music blaring at any time of the day. Your neighbors are trying to have a peaceful day, and they do not want to hear your racket,” she says, scolding me like a child.

I narrow my eyes at her, but she stands her ground. “Which neighbor complained?” I ask.

“He asked to remain anonymous,” she says with a tight tone of voice.

“That was a trick question,” I laugh. “I know who it was.”

I step toward her, and she jumps back as I shut my door behind me and walk off of my porch toward Lucian’s house. “Ms. Hart. I will not have you harassing your-”

“Fuck you, Carol,” I say simply. She gasps, but stays quiet. I see that Lucian is on the sidewalk with a few other neighbors. They are all whispering, and he is laser-focused on me as I approach.

“Well, isn’t this nice. Our new neighbor has come out to play,” Lucian says, smirking again.

“The next time you have an issue with something I am doing, come to me. Don’t go to the fucking neighborhood hall monitor like a kiss ass teacher’s pet,” I say firmly.

I am a measly five feet two inches. I am curvy, but small as hell, especially when Lucian is towering over me. He must be at least a foot taller than me, maybe more. His white T-shirt does nothing to conceal the rippling muscles across his chest and abdomen or his massive biceps. His skin is a rich, deep bronze, perfectly complementing his stunning features. It's hard not to be drawn to the breathtaking physical presence he exudes. But then he opens his mouth, and the arrogance that pours out is almost enough to drown out my attraction.

Almost…

“I will say that I am keen on your music choice, but the volume is a bit too much to handle. Some of us do have more riveting things to be focusing on,” Lucian says, making a point that I notice he is looking at my tits.

“Jesus Christ,” I say, throwing my hands up. “I just had to inherit the house with the world’s most obnoxious neighbor. Lucky me, right?”

“Mmm. Lucky you,” Lucian says, smiling. He steps closer, and the warmth of his body freezes me as he leans down to speak soft enough that only I can hear him. “Be careful of the games you try to play with me, Elise. I play to win.”

I meet his gaze with a smile, unflinching. “That’s funny, Luci, because I don’t play games. I get what I want without having to resort to cheap tricks. So, if you think you can intimidate me, you’re sorely mistaken. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more important things to do than entertain your ego.”

I return to my home and slam the door shut before going back to my office. I scroll through my playlist before I find the most annoying song I can. I laugh to myself as I turn the volume up as loud as possible and sit down to return to my work.

I read the idiotic HOA rules, and quiet time is eight in the evening. I have every intention of blaring this same stupid song until one minute before. I refuse to be pushed around by a bunch of rich fuckers with a golden stick shoved up their asses.

The song plays on repeat for the entire day. I have grown to like this song now that I know it has pissed off the entire neighborhood. Anytime I check out my front bay window, there are always a few people out on the sidewalk looking at the house. They have a disgusted look on their face, and it brings joy to my heart.

I pull up my cameras and watch as Carol stands at the end of my walkway. It is 7:58 PM, and I know she will come and knock right at eight. I have my hand on the power button and wait. I am a petty bitch when pushed, and I will always prove a point when someone tries to intimidate me. As soon as the clock hits eight, I shut it off. The silence is deafening as I walk to my front door and step out in the late summer air. I keep a smile on my face as I walk down to check my mailbox. “Evening,” I say kindly. “Nice night we’re having.”

“Ms. Hart…”

“Yes, Carol?” I ask, intentionally interrupting her as I flip through my mail. I am glad to see my address change took. My old roommate has also forwarded all my mail, so that is good as well.

“Per the contract you signed…”

“I didn’t sign shit,” I say, opening something that looks important. Of course, it’s not. It’s just something disguised to be important. “My Aunt Jennifer signed it.”

“Well… I’ll need you to do that as soon as possible,” she says, nearly stumbling over her words.

“Hmm,” I say, looking up at her. “Pass.”

“Ms. Hart. You must sign it or…”

“Or what, Carol?” I ask. “Are you going to evict me?”

“Well, no,” she says. “But I can issue a fine.”

“I’m sure I can manage,” I laugh.

“Acting like this won’t earn you an invitation to any neighborhood function, you know,” she says with a frown. “No one will want to involve themselves with someone so…”

“Trashy?” I ask. I step a little closer and fear hides in her eyes. “Baby, I grew up in foster homes that had everything from meth labs to pedophiles. You don’t have the slightest clue what trashy is. The next time you want to interact with me, maybe try taking that stick out of your ass and be nice to me. I am a kind and caring person, but all you people have done is treat me like I am an outsider.”

“Ms. Carol, are you already harassing the new neighbor?” Laura asks as she walks over.

“Not at all,” I say. “We were just chatting.”

“I was just telling Elise about the end of summer cookout,” Carol says. Her tone is vastly different with Laura, and it only further strengthens my belief that everyone here is fake.

“Ah, yes. You must come, Elise. It is a lot of fun,” Laura says.

“Well, you two have a wonderful evening. It’s just about my bedtime,” Carol says. When she walks away, Laura shakes her head.

“She’s harmless,” Laura says. “Annoying, but harmless.”

“She’s been up my ass since I moved in,” I say. “Someone sent her over to my house this morning saying I had the music too loud, so I blared it all day.”

“Yeah, I thought that was funny,” Laura says. “Carol… Not so much.”

“I don’t mean to come across like a bitch. I have just spent my entire life being pushed around. I promised myself I wouldn’t keep doing that when I moved here,” I explain.

“Well, just be careful about making too many waves. Everyone is nice, but they all have their limits,” she says vaguely.

“Why? Someone going to burn my house down or something?” I ask, only half-joking.

“No,” Laura laughs.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask, and she nods. “What’s up with Lucian?”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“Is he one of the ones that have a limit? He’s not my biggest fan. Not after this morning, at least.”

“Lucian owns nearly all of Maple Falls. It’s been in his family for generations,” she says.

“Ah,” I say. “Anything I should know living next to him?”

“Hello, ladies,” Lucian says from behind me.

“Hey,” Laura says to him. I turn so that I can see him and he has that same damn smirk on his face. “Carol invited Elise to the end of summer cookout tomorrow.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Lucian says. “Will you be joining us, Elise?”

“I’m not even sure where it is,” I say honestly. “I was not given any details.” Really, I only think Carol mentioned it because it was better than explaining what I was actually saying to her.

“Well, it will be at my house,” Lucian says. “Everyone should be here by seven.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” I say, forcing a smile.

“Oh, that’s right. You work, don’t you?” Laura asks.

“I don’t exactly have a set schedule,” I explain. “I have the freedom to do whatever I want.”

“What do you do?” Lucian asks.

“I have a master’s degree in computer engineering. I specifically work with software, so I design, code, and test software for clients,” I explain.

“That’s interesting,” he says. “Have you always wanted to do that?”

“I have,” I say. “I was already in college when Aunt Jennifer died, so I decided to finish school before moving here.”

“That’s exciting,” Laura says. “Although, I am glad I am lucky enough to not have to work.”

“Oh, I don’t have to. I choose to,” I explain. “I grew up with nothing until Aunt Jennifer found me. I know what it’s like to go to bed hungry for days on end, so I don’t want to sit around and not contribute to the world. Most of my earnings from my engineering job go to helping parents and kids living in poverty. The program I donate to provides those in need with everything from food and clothing to school supplies and tuition for college.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, why didn’t your aunt raise you?” Laura asks.

“I was dropped off at a fire station immediately after birth. Aunt Jennifer spent years looking for me. When she did, I was eighteen and about to go to college,” I explain.

“At least she got to pay for your college,” she says happily. I want to think that wasn’t a stab at me. She might actually be that clueless.

“I actually had a scholarship that paid for it. I graduated at the top of my class, and I ran cross country,” I say.

“Oh, well, that’s good too. Did you know she had money?”

“I did not, actually. Not until she died, and her lawyer called me. She always came to see me once a month, so I didn’t think she was flying across the country, but she was apparently. I was actually born here, I think.”

“Here in Maple Falls?” Lucian asks.

“Mhmm. That’s what the lawyer told me at least,” I shrug. “I grew up in California.”

“Interesting,” he says.

“Well, I’ll see you both tomorrow,” Laura says. “Have a good night.”

“You too, Laura,” I say.

“Can we talk?” Lucian asks when I go to turn away. I sigh and turn back.

“Why not?” I say. “What’s on your mind, Luci?”

“I believe we got off on the wrong foot,” he says.

“I don’t believe we did,” I say. “Not even an hour after meeting me, you call Carol. It wasn’t even loud, so I don’t know how you knew it was playing. Just… Come to me if you have an issue. Okay?”

“Okay,” he says. “I have an issue.”

“With what?” I ask with another sigh.

“Your smart mouth, mainly,” he laughs.

“Well, you’ll have to get over that,” I say. “I’m going inside now.”

“Sleep well, Elise,” Lucian says as I turn and walk away. He’s going to be a pain in my ass. I just know it.