Brenda Jackson - Secret Love

For there is nothing hidden, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come to light.

Mark 4:22

To my husband, Gerald Jackson, Sr. and my sons, Gerald Jackson, Jr. and Brandon Jackson. Thanks for your understanding and support. You make writing my stories easier.

To my family and friends, who continue to give their undying support.

To my avid readers, who believe in me and the work that I do. This book is for all of you.

To my Heavenly Father, who makes all things possible.

Dear Readers,

I love writing family sagas, and I am so happy that Kimani Press is reissuing my very first family series, the Madaris family. Its been twelve years and fifty books since I first introduced the Madaris family. During that time, this special family and their friends have won their way into readers hearts. I am ecstatic to be able to share these award-winning stories with everyone all over againespecially those who have never met the Madaris clan up close and personalin this special-edition collectors series.

I never dreamed when I penned my first novel, Tonight and Forever, and introduced the Madaris family, that I was taking readers on a journey where heartfelt romance, sizzling passion and true love awaited them at every turn. I had no idea that the Madaris family and their friends would become characters that readers would come to know and care so much about. I invite you to relax, unwind and see what all the hoopla is about. Let Justin, Dex, Clayton, Uncle Jake and their many friends transport you with love stories that are so passionate and sizzling, they will take your breath away. There is nothing better than falling in love with one of these Madaris men and their many friends.

For a complete list of all the books in this series, as well as the dates they will be available in a bookstore near you, please visit my Web site at www.brendajackson.net.

If you would like to receive my monthly newsletter, please visit and sign up at www.brendajackson.net/page/newsletter.htm.

I also invite you to drop me an e-mail at

WriterBJackson@aol.com. I love hearing from my readers.

All the best,

Brenda Jackson

T he telephone rangloudly, repeatedly.

After about the fifth ring, Jacob Madaris bolted upright in bed when the shrill sound finally infiltrated his sleep-entrenched mind. He took a deep breath, dragged a hand across his face then reached out to grab the phone before it reached its eighth ring.

Yeah? he said, glancing at the illuminated clock on the nightstand. It was three in the morning.

Jake, its Sterling.

There was a peculiar sound in his good friend, Sterling Hamiltons, voice that made Jake throw back the covers and move to sit on the side of the bed. He could think of only one reason why Sterling would be calling him at this hour and sounding so strange. Jakes heart suddenly began racing and knots began forming in his stomach.

Diamond, he said raggedly, almost fearful. His mind suddenly clamored with images of what could be wrong. What is it? What happened?

Sterling, to Jakes way of thinking, didnt respond quick enough. Answer me, Sterling! He was on his feet now and his voice had escalated to a shout.

Calm down, Jake. Diamonds fine, but

But what!

She needs to come home.

More images, worse than the ones before, flashed through Jakes mind. What happened? For Petes sake, Sterling, what happened to Diamond? The racing of Jakes heart increased.

Someone broke into her homeand tried to attack her.

What! After that explosion several earthy expletives poured from Jakes lips.

Jake, shes okay. Diamonds fine, Jake. Listen to me, shes fine.

But Jake Madaris was past listening. Who was it? What happened? One hand balled into a fist at his side, and the veins in his neck nearly popped.

Some obsessed fan climbed over the wall and came in through a window, Diamonds bedroom window. Luckily she was able to get away from the intruder and call the police.

Jake closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Thank God for that. What about the security system? I thought that place was wired tight.

The intruder managed to get past it.

More earthy expletives poured forth from Jakes lips.

Your anger wont help Diamond, Jake. She needs you to be calm when you see her. Shes pretty shaken up.

Im on my way.

No need. Shes on her way there. Im sending her on my plane. In fact she should be arriving in less than an hour. Just be at the airstrip when the plane gets there.

Jake shook his head, angry with himself. He should have been with her tonight. He should have been there to protect her. Or better yet, she should have been here at his ranch, Whispering Pines, and not hundreds of miles away in California. He was her husband. The two of them should not be living apart.

His shoulders slumped when he remembered that their living arrangements werent the tip of their problems. The real scorcher was the fact that very few people even knew they were married. His own mother didnt know, and only one of his brothers knew.

Ill be at the airstrip, waiting.

Call me after you get her settled in, and let me know how shes doing.

All right and thanks. As soon as Jake hung up the phone, he quickly began getting dressed.

Slow down, calm down, he ordered himself, but it didnt work. He moved around his bedroom, putting on his clothes at a frantic pace.

When he and Diamond had married a little over year ago, he had gone along with her request that they keep their marriage a secret for a number of reasons. The main one had been for their privacy. If the tabloids knew that Hollywoods most sought-after African-American actress, Diamond Swain, was married to wealthy Texas rancher, Jacob Madaris, they would have a field day at their expense. Diamond had not wanted their special relationship, their extraordinary love, scrutinized, criticized or placed under the medias attention. She had been determined to protect the love they shared at any cost.

Yeah, but not this cost, Jake muttered as he finished putting on his boots. He didnt care about the media. But Diamond, who was always in the spotlight, and constantly hounded by the press and paparazzi, had felt differently. She had wanted a secret place she could always come to when she needed to escape. He and his ranch had become her loving and safe haven.

Another reason for the secrecy was that there was no way he could ever give up his life as a rancher. Knowing that, he knew he could never ask her to give up her life as an actress. The decision to keep their marriage a secret had been a difficult one for him. The Madaris family was a close one. But he had gone along with her request, although he hadnt liked it, because at the time all the reasons for doing so had seemed for the best.

But now, none of that mattered. What mattered most was keeping her safe. As far as she was concerned, their secret had run its course.

As he rushed out of the house, he couldnt help but remember how it had begun. He couldnt help but call to mind another time, nearly eighteen months ago, when he had gone to the airstrip to await Diamonds arrival.