Stanton Box Set

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Acknowledgements

So many thank yous for today: where do I start?

My mum, thank you Mum. You have read every chapter of the Stanton series as I have written them and love my story—I love you. To my beautiful friend Vicki. Vicki, you are my friend, my confidant and my most valuable critic—your incessant question “why” makes me always strive to be better. Thank you so much for everything you do. To Amanda, you were one of my first readers that contacted me through my Facebook page. There are no words to express how much I appreciate everything that you do for me and how much I value your friendship. You are one of the most thoughtful people I know. Thank you. To Rachel, you were a reviewer from the other side of the world that contacted me after reading Stanton to see if I needed help, and it turns out I did. You have become an amazing caring friend and along with Amanda you make me laugh every day. Thank you.

To the awesome girls from the Tee Swan’s Troops gang, a bunch of girls who have banded together to support me with my writing and shout Stanton from the rooftops to anyone who will listen. Never in a million years did I think that writing a book or three would lead me to such beautiful caring women and I can’t thank you enough for all that you do.

To my beta readers, Jodie, Brooke, Rachel, Nicole, Sharon, Anne, Carly, Ainslie, Charlotte and Renee thank you.

To the awesome bloggers and reviewers who have supported me. Authors like me would not have a career if it wasn’t for the huge amount of work you all put into your pages and blogs. Thank you for your support, advice and for the new friendships I am making along the way.

And last but not least, my wonderful family. My three children and husband are the ones who have had to sacrifice the most for my passion… my time. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you all so very much and I could not have done this without your support.

I did it.

Completely

I am completely in love with you

I completely trust you

But can you keep me safe?

Chapter 1

Seven days earlier

Light bulb moments

In what state does the subconscious mind need to be for one to be able to experience an awakening like this?

Is it the conscious mind? Does it need to be openly receptive to the information it had before? And why now? Why only now does this make sense? Why does it seem so real that it can’t possibly be true?

I knew Joshua Stanton was wealthy. The houses, the lifestyle, the security.

Why the hell am I sitting here dumbstruck, peering out of the car like a child in a chocolate factory movie?

My name is Natasha Marx, I have thirty million dollars in my bank account.

I am in love with a billionaire.

And my life will never be the same.

The car slowly pulls into the driveway and tall black metal gates block the entrance. We are at the Kamala house in Thailand. The driver enters a code into the pinpad and I watch them slowly open. My stomach drops at the sight of the huge stone fence surrounding the property and Joshua picks up my hand and kisses it as he smirks at my bewildered face.

“This is it? This is your house?” I ask.

“Yes.” He smiles softly.

Holy crap. The large lawn is at street level but I can see it drops off to a cliff at the back of the property, and cobblestones line the driveway which winds its way through the tropical oasis. I can’t see what’s ahead and I crane my neck as excitement fills me. We drive past a waterfall, through the gardens to a circular bay. “This is your house?” I repeat again as I frown. The main house is in front of us with driveways to the other houses on the property veering off to the side.

He leans over and kisses me gently as if sensing my inner freak-out mode. The car comes to a stop and parks in the undercover area and other cars pull in behind us. My eyes explore the opulence surrounding me.

“Holy shit!” Abbie yells and I smile as I nod my head in agreement.