Hide: Part One (The Black Letters Series Book 1)

by Brooke Page

  He pulled his head from my shoulder, his green eyes melting into mine. “Because I can see the ghosts that haunt you behind those beautiful brown eyes.”

  And for the first time, I couldn’t hide, but stared back at him, willing for him to see all that I’d been through without speaking. More tears dropped, and he began to kiss them, caressing my body with firmer hands. My mouth found his, kissing him eagerly, wanting to forget about my haunted past that kept creeping up on me.

  My hands moved down his chest, finding his thick cock and stroking it with my hands. He hissed as he lifted my hips, guiding me so the tip rubbed against my clit.

  “Let me get a condom.” His voice was gruff as he searched his bag on the side of the bed. “You on the pill?” He asked as he held the condom to his lips, preparing to rip it open with his teeth. My head tipped back, wanting him to tug on my nipples with those teeth like he had the night before.

  “Yes,” I groaned impatiently. “Do you really think I would have let you come inside of me last night if I weren’t?”

  But it was more than the birth control that made me feel safe. It was him. The trust and security I found in Mitch was terrifying. I’d never felt this way about any man, and not using a condom seemed to be the only way to show him.

  The condom was tossed to the floor as Mitch plunged inside of me. His hips moved recklessly against mine, causing my body to bounce roughly with each thrust. The intensity of his movements was exactly what I needed to numb my pain, urging me to move faster. Large calloused hands wrapped around me, squeezing my skin so I’d be as close to him as possible. Our bodies were slick with sweat and heat. Our mouths moved savagely, tongues tangling with each other as we filled the ache inside of us.

  Once Mitch’s thumb found my clit, it was over, my pace slowing as I exploded around him, his mouth catching my moans of ecstasy. He met my moans, his arms clasping around me tightly as he pumped inside of me, filling me completely.

  With heavy breaths we fell to our sides, mouths and tongues still locked together. I never wanted his arms to let me go. Our tongues slowed against one another, finding our own mouths, but our noses still nuzzled together.

  Mitch broke the silence. “I need to eat soon, woman.” I giggled into his chest, clutching my arms around his back tighter. “I’m serious. Let’s order room service, take a shower, then do that again.”

  Still giggling, I unlatched myself from him, searching through the hotel drawers to find a menu. “Eager, are we?” Mitch flirted, sitting up on his elbow to kiss my shoulder.

  “You’re not the only one who’s hungry,” I chided, looking for the quickest item to order from Cygnus, the restaurant on top of the hotel.

  “Order me a pink taco.” Mitch winked, standing from the bed to open the blinds.

  I couldn’t contain my snort. “You’re such a perv.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows, crawling back into the bed as I reached for the phone to call in our order. I had to swat at his hand while I spoke to the hostess. He kept tickling my sides, fondling my breasts, pinching my nipples. I finally smacked him with a pillow once I placed our order.

  “You’re such an ass,” I shouted playfully, trying to hit him again. He was quick, though, grabbing the pillow from me before I made contact and yanking it out of my hand, whacking me back.

  “No pillow fights babe, I don’t want to be tempted to make you cry.”

  “Yeah, right. I think you’d be the one crying like a little girl.” I made pouty lips, pretending to cry. He mimicked me, then kissed my lips, his weight, becoming heavier on me.

  His body confined mine, something I didn’t let men do. I was startled at first, but his kisses were soft and coaxing, helping to blind my mind from my past and push forward to the present.

  “Let’s take a shower,” Mitch suggested between kisses. “We’ll be nice and clean for our food.”

  I giggled as he nipped my ear. He sat up, straddling my hips while staring down at me.

  “What?” I asked as his green eyes roaming over me. He shook his head, smile still in place as he leaned down to kiss me again. My hand found his chest, roaming to his nipples. I tugged on the bar, and his grin widened.

  “I can’t believe I never noticed this with all those tight shirts,” I teased, wanting to run my tongue along it.

  Mitch sat up, crossing his arms as he looked down at me. “Checking me out like I’m some piece of meat? I feel degraded.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Like you’ve never eye fucked me.”

  His eyes widened as he contemplated my words. “Yeah, you’re right.” We both laughed. “Come on, let’s shower,” he said quickly, standing from the bed and holding his hand out for me to take.

  “I’ll join you in a moment. I’m going to text Becca.”

  Mitch shook his head. “Don’t bug them.”

  I reached for my phone, ignoring him. “If I text her, she can open it whenever she wants. Besides, they’re probably at the airport now. Their flight leaves in an hour.”

  “Whatever, I’ll be in the shower. Don’t be long,” he flirted, sending me a wink. I watched as he walked into the bathroom, admiring his defined muscles and that sexy as hell ass. I licked my lips, momentarily dazed by his delicious body.

  A knock on the door startled me from my very inappropriate daydream. The room service must be here. I grabbed the complimentary robe from the bathroom, noticing Mitch’s silhouette in the glass shower. There was an extra hop to my step, eager to join him. My face was flushed from our morning session with wild bed head and traces of makeup from the wedding, but I didn’t care if the room service waiter saw me. I was sure he’d seen women looking way more disheveled than me.

  I skipped to the door, opening it to find no one there, but the plate of covered food sitting on the floor. These people moved fast when it came to delivering food. My stomach growled as I brought the food inside. Maybe I’d take a quick bite before joining Mitch in the shower. I set the plate on the table and lifted the cover. My eyes grew wide as my heart pounded faster.

  There it was, a black letter with my name in perfect script.

  My eyes flew to the door, then to the bathroom. Holy shit, that fucker found me again. How did he keep finding me? I clawed at my neck, pacing back and forth in front of the letter.

  “I’m getting lonely in here,” Mitch shouted from the bathroom. I jumped as his voice called for me.

  With a trembling voice I answered. “Be there in a minute.”

  But I couldn’t let Mitch see this letter, no one had ever seen them. They were my secret reminder that the devil was waiting for me whenever he felt like striking. I snatched the letter, tearing it open as fast as I could, the familiar wax feeling getting stuck in my manicured nails.

  Stop being a slut. Get away from him now, or you’ll have more blood on your hands.

  -Rod

  My hand reached for my mouth, trying to cover the loud shriek that blasted from my lips. I had to leave. I couldn’t let Rod hurt him. I was falling hard for him, and if Rod saw that, he’d make sure to ruin Mitch’s life.

  My shuddering body tossed the robe on the bed, searching for my dress from the night before. I’d look like I was doing the walk of shame, but the only shame I’d have was for opening my heart to a man who’d now be hunted forever if I didn’t disappear.

  Quickly throwing my bridesmaid dress on, I kissed my hand and set it on the bathroom door, silently praying that one day Mitch would understand I wasn’t leaving him because I didn’t want him. My heart was breaking already, knowing that one day Mitch could have healed my wounds. For now I’d have to lick them myself, and somehow figure out how to stay the hell away from my tormentor.

  Searching the halls as I closed the door was nothing unusual for me, but the extra bit of fear in my blood was tickling my skin, knowing Rod was nearby. I made it to the elevator without anyone seeing me, hiding my face as the doors closed. Crying was something I was good at stopping, but the tears were escaping uncontrollably.<
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  The elevator dinged, and I rolled my eyes, irritated I had to share with someone. But my irritation faded when I realized it could be Rod joining me. My hands curled around my waist protectively, preparing for his harsh demeanor to come in and show me a lesson for leaving him alone for this long.

  “Hey,” Nathan’s voice startled me as I finally breathed when I laid eyes on him. His brows furrowed with worry. “You okay?”

  He entered the elevator, and once the doors closed, I reached for him, squeezing him with all that I had while silent tears fell. “It’s okay,” he said soothingly, rubbing his hands on my bare back. I must have looked horrible, but I was so thankful that my other best friend was here. I might not be able to see him again if I needed to run from Rod.

  “Can I take you somewhere?” he asked gently, his hand running through my hair. He pulled a pin from it, one Mitch must have missed last night. “Jesus, Jay. What’s going on?” he asked, flicking the pin to the ground. “I’ve never seen you like this.”

  I laughed. If only he knew how fucked up I really was. “Can you take me home, please?”

  He nodded, keeping an arm firmly around my waist as we walked out of the elevator. My eyes grazed the crowds of finely dressed people in this fancy hotel. I was thankful Nathan looked put together in his chino’s and polo shirt. Maybe everyone would stare at him instead of the train wreck look I was sporting.

  “I’ll drop you, then come back here to get my things. Then we can head to the airport and catch a flight on standby if you’d like?” he questioned, tipping the valet.

  I nodded, grateful for his friendship. “Don’t leave, your family’s here. Be with them. I need to see my family.” If Rod were here, seeing my family would be safe for once. They always offered me some type of solace when I was feeling lost and out of ideas. Besides, the twin’s birthday party was supposed to be tomorrow. It’d make my mother’s month if I’d show up for the event.

  “Everything okay with them?” he asked as we pulled out of the hotel.

  I blinked for a moment, forgetting what I’d just told him. “Yes, well, my father isn’t feeling well.” I lied, not wanting to share my troubles with Nathan.

  “Call me if you need anything, Jay. Kobiashi can pull strings at any hospital in that state.”

  I nodded, guilt filling me for lying to him. “I’ll drive myself to the airport. I’ve got my Jeep here still, don’t worry about it.”

  He studied me, then nodded back. “Text me when you get there.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jamie, Age 17.

  “Here.” Landon handed me a glass of sprite. I’d barely left my room, saying I had the stomach flu. My mother was worried, and threatening to take me to the hospital if I couldn’t get up and move by tomorrow morning.

  “Thanks,” I whispered, taking a sip. The fizz burned my throat, and reminding me of Rod’s hands as he tried to strangle the life from me. A tear rolled down my cheek and didn’t go unnoticed by Landon.

  “Please, let me talk to Dad,” he begged. He’d hovered around me as much as he could without my parents noticing. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

  “Until I find out I’m carrying his monster,” I choked, rolling over and burrowing my head under the covers.

  Landon’s hand found my hip. “We’ll get rid of it, Jay. He’ll never know.”

  For some reason, I had a feeling Rod already knew, and the sick, twisted bastard probably did it on purpose. I always had to be the one to remember the condom, and he rarely put them on unless I demanded it.

  “You’re going to have to go back to school soon. Especially when mom takes you to the doctor and they find nothing is wrong, or they figure out you’re pregnant.”

  “We don’t know if I’m pregnant,” I snapped, uncovering my head from the blankets. “I’ll go tomorrow.” I gulped, realizing where else I had to go. “I have to work too.”

  Landon stood up and muttered, “Jamie, you can’t work with him!”

  “I can’t avoid him, either!” I needed to somehow make him understand we weren’t going to be together, and threaten that I’d tell my Dad, without actually telling my Dad I sighed to myself. Rod knew me too well. He knew I’d never be able to disappoint him.

  “I’m sitting in the parking lot the whole time, and I swear to God if he makes one wrong move—”

  “Fine,” I conceded. “It’ll be fine.” I wasn’t sure if I were trying to convince Landon or myself. “I need to shower and get ready for dinner now.”

  Landon watched me stand, our similar brown eyes stormy, yet scared of the unknown.

  ***

  “You sure about this?” Landon asked as we pulled into the station.

  I nodded. I was dressed to impress, ready to take on this asshole by playing mind games with him. I was done being his puppet, and he needed to know I wasn’t going to put up with his shit anymore. Landon wasn’t as tense either, and I believe it was my confidence. He knew I’d get him if I couldn’t handle it.

  Wrapping the fashionable scarf tightly around my collar that Landon bought to cover the bruises on my neck, I stepped out of the car, ready to bring the wrath to Rod. That wrath included pepper spray if he got handsy. Landon pulled into a parking spot, taking out his Air Force notes. His test was coming up, and this extra bit of time to study was a blessing in disguise.

  But before I entered the station, my father came rushing out. His large frame was the size of the door threshold, and I stopped in my tracks when I saw the murderous look in his eyes. Once he saw me, his head dipped low as he bit the sides of his cheeks.

  At that moment, I knew he knew, and the shame and guilt over-powered me.

  “Let’s go,” he said in a low tone as he passed me. I couldn’t move as my lip quivered, realizing I was in a whole heap of trouble.

  Landon’s car door opened and closed. “Dad? What happened?”

  “Take your sister home and stay there. Tell your mother I’ll be late and not to worry about me for dinner.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Do as I say!” my father shouted at Landon, making both of us wince. He wasn’t a man to mess with. Criminals cowered whenever they saw him at the station.

  I still hadn’t moved, then noticed Rod standing in the door frame, smug look on his face with his arms crossed as he watched me. He wasn’t supposed to see my tears, but they danced on my eyelashes.

  “Get in the car with Landon, Jamie,” my father commanded, but I still couldn’t move. I heard a heavy sigh as I stared down at my feet. Crinkling of gravel got closer, then my father was standing in front of me, blocking Rod from my sight. “This is my fault, sweetheart. Go home with Landon. I’m making it go away.”

  I closed my eyes, covering them with my hands as I silently sobbed. He wrapped his arms around me, cradling me as he walked me to the car. “It’ll be our secret,” he said quietly before we reached Landon. I nodded, figuring he thought Landon didn’t know. Guilt still filled me, knowing I’d be making my father keep things from my mother, something no marriage should have.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Hey, it’s Jamie!” my mother shrieked as I walked through the front door of their house. It was smaller than the house I’d grown up in. We moved my senior year, but my family had made it a home, and I always had a couch to sleep on if I needed it. But I wouldn’t stay long, not with Rod on a wild goose chase coming after me.

  I’d ignored my phone, knowing Mitch would be calling and texting me constantly. I’d left him naked and wanting me, something I felt awful for doing, but I knew it was in his best interest.

  My arms wrapped around my mother as she greeted me on two bouncy feet. “I’m so glad you could make it home for the twins!” She held me close, and I felt her love surround me. “Come on, all the family is in the back!”

  I grinned as I followed her through the house. I stopped at Landon’s picture on the wall. He looked so proud after receiving his Air Force recognition and uniform for the fir
st time. My mother noticed, wrapping her arm around me.

  “I wish he could be here today too,” she said with a smile, kissing me on the cheek. I nodded, then moved to the kitchen, hugging Riley the second I saw her. She was helping my mother prep food, and I was happy to see her being useful.

  “Jamie!” Riley squealed, jumping up and down before she hugged me.

  I laughed at her greeting but held her close.

  Trevor walked over, he was almost thirteen, and I knew hugging wasn’t cool anymore, so I tapped his hat in greeting. He gave me a mischievous smile, and it pulled at my heart. He looked so much like Landon, and that smile reminded me of Mitch now as well, making my heart crush even more.

  “There’s my shining star!” my father greeted me as he walked through the sliding door. He was wearing his ‘Kiss the Cook’ apron while holding a tray full of hot dogs and hamburgers.

  “Hi, Dad.” I smiled, kissing his cheek so he wouldn’t try to hug me while holding the plate of food. “How can I help?” I asked, easily sliding into the normal routine of my crazy family.

  ***

  “A remote helicopter!” Collin yelled as he tore open his gift. Jacob was doing the same, jumping up and down when he realized he got one too.

  “Thanks, Jamie!” they both exclaimed simultaneously. Collin lunged at me for a hug, then Jacob followed.

  “Why’d you make us wait?” Collin asked as he ran back to the box, trying to rip it open with his nail.

  “I wanted to surprise you. Besides, this is from all of your siblings, not just me.” I winked at my mother, who gave me a thankful smile. She didn’t like it when I’d spend a lot of money on them, but at the same time she knew I wanted to.

  “Well, it’s so cool. Almost as cool as the Xbox from Mom and Dad!” I grinned, but inside I felt terrible. I knew those were expensive, and my Dad probably worked overtime to get it for them.