The Cost of Silence

The Cost of Silence
Kathleen O'Brien

Redmond "Red" Malone instantly agrees when his dying mentor asks him to deal with a situation discreetly. Yet convincing "the mistress" Allison York to sign a document keeping silent about the relationship leaves Red feeling…off. Allison is smart, honest and beautiful–not at all like the gold digger he'd assumed she'd be. Even more unsettling is that the single mom wants nothing to do with Red or any offer he has.Still, Red is persistent, and the more he's with Allison, the more he realizes he's found where he wants to be. He's found his home. But the silent secret between them threatens their happiness. And Red is faced with a dilemma: to keep his promise, or let the truth set them free.

“I’m not here because I’ve changed my mind.”

Allison took a deep breath before clarifying. “About the money or the contract.”

Red smiled. “What contract?”

She couldn’t help smiling back, but she gave it a wry twist, so that he would know she was onto slick guys like him. He’d promised he wouldn’t talk about the contract, and he wouldn’t—at least until he thought he had her softened up. He wasn’t a fool. But neither was she.

“But the truth is…I got the impression that you really cared about Victor, that the two of you were close. And that you might be sincerely concerned about the welfare of his family.”

He nodded. His expression was guarded, now, less slick but no less handsome. That great bone structure and that dramatic Black Irish coloring weren’t dependent on a twinkle or a grin. As she poured the thick cream into her cup of coffee she found herself wondering whether he was married, or engaged.

Then she told herself to stop wondering things like that.

Dear Reader,

One of my favorite quotes says, “If you don’t make mistakes, you don’t make anything.” I heard it long ago, at a time when I really needed it. I’m not much of a risk-taker, and that quote opened my eyes to a new way of looking at my life.

Even though taking risks is daunting, always playing it safe can be scary, too. Isn’t every important move forward a risk? Wouldn’t it be safer never to fall in love, have children, start a business, travel the world or even write a book? And yet…how boring utter safety would be! Think how much we’d miss!

Allison York has just made one of the biggest mistakes of her life, and she wants only to hunker down and protect her infant son—and her heart. No more risks. No more blunders.

But then sexy, charismatic Redmond Malone enters her world—the one man who poses a threat to everything she holds dear. Letting him in might well be the ultimate mistake…but does she have the strength to send him away?

I hope you enjoy their story. And I hope that, as you go through life, all the mistakes you make turn out to be blessings in disguise!

Warmest wishes,

Kathleen O’Brien

P.S.—I love to hear from readers! Visit me at KOBrienonline.com, on Facebook or Twitter, or email me at KOBrien@aol.com.

The Cost of Silence

Kathleen O’Brien

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen O’Brien was a feature writer and TV critic before marrying a fellow journalist. Motherhood, which followed soon after, was so marvelous she turned to writing novels, which could be done at home. A born sentimentalist, she believes a person can never have too many old friends, sad movies, spoiled pets or corny songs. She’s never met a book about a baby that she didn’t love.

To Ann Evans.

Your friendship, your generosity and your talent

have made all the difference.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER ONE

REDMOND MALONE HAD BEEN PARKED in front of the Windsor Beach Peacock Café for a full five minutes. He kept going back and forth, one minute gazing at the ocean—which glittered invitingly between the buildings—and the next minute glaring at the restaurant, with the blue-and-green-striped awnings and kitschy matching outdoor umbrellas.