A Masterpiece Unraveled (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 2)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  Hunter's heart sank. God, that hurt. He'd let her down too and it kept coming. He swore under his breath before leveling her grandparents with a cold, hard stare. "I'll stop at nothing to find out the truth. Whatever you're hiding will be uncovered soon. You can make all the threats you want, but Becca deserves the truth. I might have messed up and hurt her deeply, but I'm going to do my best to show her I'm not going anywhere. Because I'm not." With that, he followed Becca's tracks and left the coldness of that house.

  *****

  Becca ran out of the house she never wanted to see again and barreled into someone head on, nearly knocking them both down.

  "Rebecca? What in the world?" Strong, steady hands gripped her. She looked up in Vince's eyes as he held on to her. What was he doing here? She didn't feel like dealing with him now. "You don't look well at all!"

  Becca jerked out of his grasp. "I'm fine!" Why did she bother signing to him? Vince never did learn it in the years he'd known her. One of the many clues why she knew he never loved her.

  Guilt flashed in his eyes. "I have no idea what you just said." He gestured at the house. "Do you want to-"

  The door opened again and Hunter stormed out. He stopped cold in his tracks. Why did he take a little longer to come out?

  "Oh. It's you." Vince's voice changed from calm to annoyed.

  "That's right, it's me. Expect any less? You and Becca's grandparents in cahoots against me some more? It won't work," Hunter snapped, marching on over to them.

  "Hunter, let's just go." Becca didn't want to spend another second more here. Stunned by the slight revelations from her grandparents, she just needed to get away and process. They had always been cold people, but for them to say what they'd just said? It had to mean something. It had to! And at some point soon, she'd probably have to explain to Hunter about what she'd told him inside. "I'm done here." Becca was more than ready to walk away and never look back. She couldn't keep putting so much of her heart into pleasing two people that didn't care. At least she knew why now. They didn't think she was blood related. Why should two people care about a girl who wasn't their son's child? But if she wasn't Rusty's child, who was she? Adopted? If that was it, it meant Anne and Rusty wanted her, so why did her grandparents have to be so cold about it?

  "Becca, what are you saying?" Vince tried to reach for her. "I don't understand."

  "Of course you don't," Hunter muttered.

  Becca tugged on his hand again, hoping to get out of here now.

  "Wait! What's going on?" Vince tried again. "Why are you so upset?"

  "You want to know? Ask them!" Hunter pointed at the house. He put his hand on the small of her back as they rushed to the car. They climbed inside and Hunter peeled out, leaving Vince standing in the dust.

  Hunter didn't say anything until he pulled into her parking spot at the apartment complex. Becca reached for the car door, ready to push it open, but Hunter grasped her arm. Not even thinking, she flinched and pulled away. Sometimes, the slightest touch from anyone scared her lately. It never stopped. She hated flinching at Hunter's touch because in her heart she knew he wouldn't hurt her, even if she couldn't forget the one night. He never meant to do it and she knew that.

  "What was that?" he asked quietly, the hurt in his tone stabbing at her heart repeatedly.

  "You startled me."

  "Is that all it is?"

  She knew exactly what he was asking. He wanted to know if she was afraid of him. He probably knew the answer. Becca didn't want to admit it either way, but she sure as heck didn't want to lie.

  She looked away. What little good that did her, because it was a silent freaking admission!

  Hunter sighed and jumped out of the car. She watched him pace in circles a couple times before he made his way back and stood before her, holding out his hands. He helped her to her feet and he wrapped his arm around her. "I have so much I want to ask you, but I won't right now. I want to know about those four years we were apart and I want to know why you wouldn't tell me from the start how angry you were. But I think both our minds have been tested to the limit today."

  She nodded, her mind swarming with the revelations from the past few hours. What she wanted to do was go in the apartment, fire up the laptop and find out if she wasn't really Rusty Lange's daughter. The not blood related comment echoed in her mind. And what did they know about Carrie?

  "I do want to say one thing. Look at me, angel," Hunter pleaded. "I'll spend forever showing you I'm not going to leave you. I'm sorry I pulled away. I'm sorry I'm an idiot and can't get my crap together. I hurt you more than I ever imagined I could hurt anyone, and I hate it." He gently raised her bruised arm. "I see this and it's a painful reminder that I'm a stubborn ass. I'm hiding behind my own fears. When we get home, I'll do what it takes. You have my word." He said it with such sincerity and assurance that Becca knew it to be true. Hunter never meant to hurt her on purpose on any occasion and she knew it. His demons were coming to light and no one, including him, knew how to deal with it. "I don't want you to be afraid of me. It kills me."

  She didn't want to be afraid, either. Feeling the way she did now, Becca understood. She had her own demons. She hardly ever let them show to anyone, including the man who knew her best.

  "I had no idea what you went through on that first trip without me. I had no idea about Vince being pushed into your life because I didn't make it." There was agony in his voice.

  Wait, how did he know that? Her grandparents didn't say that specifically! Then it dawned on her. Rissi. She had to have told him.

  "Don't flatter yourself. I'm sure they would have found another reason to push Vince and I to marry." Becca couldn't believe she'd just let that out. She covered her mouth with her hands, choking back an angry cry. Why couldn't she keep her anger in check?

  Hunter dropped her arm as if it were on fire and took a step back, his expression grim. "I've seen many sides of you in twenty years. The happy, the brave, the amazing. I've seen you grieve. I've seen your anger. I've seen your frustration. Never have I seen you like this, and it scares the hell out of me, Bec. If we both don't get past this, we're going to drag each other down to the pits of hell. I don't know about you, but that's not what I want for us."

  Neither did she, but Becca didn't know how to move on from here. She blinked, staring at Hunter while trying to think of what to do next. She sighed in relief when his phone rang. It killed the tension and gave her the perfect distraction to not respond at the moment.

  "It's Beverly. Probably Sienna ready to say goodnight," Hunter said softly, love reflecting in his voice. "I want to finish this conversation in a while though."

  Becca nodded as Hunter answered his phone.

  Hearing him talk to his daughter brought back a painful longing for her own father. No matter what her grandparents said, no matter what she was about to uncover, Rusty Lange was the only father she'd ever known. If only her fragmented memories of him were more fresh in her mind. If it weren't for the few photos she'd managed to keep, Becca would have no visual recollection of her parents or sister. If she wasn't biologically a Lange, who was she? Was Ellie his child biologically? It scared her how within just a few hours, her whole world was shaken again.

  All she had to do was dig for the truth. Would it be easy? Twenty years was a long time ago, and she was sure she'd have to dig a lot further back.

  It would explain why her grandparents never knew about her. They'd never mentioned not knowing about Ellie. Really, they never said much about their relationship with their son or why they'd never known Becca. She'd asked in her teen years only to get shut down. Her aunt really didn't talk about it either, but at least she paid more attention and cared about what Becca wanted. Something must have happened to the family to be so estranged.

  Only one way to find out.

  "I love you too, baby girl. I'll be home in a few days," Hunter said. "I'll bring you something way cool, and you'll get big hugs and kisses. Becca misses you, too." He slid a gaze over to
her.

  She did miss Sienna. She missed singing to her, playing on the swing, and so much more.

  She missed being able to talk.

  That was it. Becca ran to the front door, ready to go inside and find out what she could. Every so often she loved a good mystery novel, but she sure as heck didn't want to feel like she was in the midst of one.

  Despite the warm breeze dancing with the leaves and twigs in the night, Becca felt a chill run along her entire body.

  Chapter Six

  Hunter found Becca curled up on her bed reading that blasted journal again. He figured he'd find her in front of a painting or on her laptop, but that damn book again? He'd read it himself when she didn't have it near her thumbing through the pages as it it were going to change from the thousandth time reading it. His heart ached for her and the longing she had for answers, but continuing to read that crazy train wreck of thoughts wasn't going to do her any good. Carrie's passages were a world of rage, despair, and sickening thoughts. Why the hell did Isaac give her the thing? Maybe he really did think it would help them. Either way, it didn't.

  Unsure how to go forward, Hunter sat at the edge of the bed. "I don't think that book has the answers you're looking for."

  Becca slammed it shut and tossed it beside her, finally meeting his eyes. "It has to!"

  She was desperate. He understood that, but he had to find a way to get that stupid thing far away from her. They were both better off without it.

  "It's a rambling world of a fucking crazy person, Bec!" Hunter surprised himself with the outburst. He sure as hell didn't mean to let it out this way. "The more you read it, the more you're going to be afraid of her."

  "At least it's better than relying on dreams! There is stuff about us in this book!" Becca grabbed a pillow and clutched it afterwards, like she was trying to shield herself from him.

  Hunter jumped to his feet, glaring at Becca. "You're telling me you want to believe some crazy person's journal where she could write whatever the hell she wants without anyone supposed to be reading it over me? That hurts like hell! I admit I'm not the most reliable, I've been reminded of that constantly, but damn! Stop doing this to yourself!" In a moment of haste, Hunter reached over her legs, noticing her flinch again. He went for the journal and snatched it. Without a second thought, he tucked the journal under his arm and stormed out of her room.

  Becca bolted after him. He didn't stop. Hunter ran outside toward the dumpster, eager to get this thing out of both of their faces. She never reached him by the time Hunter hurled the journal over the side. He heard it hit something before another sound scared him. The screech of tires from behind him. He whirled around in time to see headlights spotlighting Becca, crumpled on the ground. "Becca!" Did that car just hit her? He ran toward her unsure what to expect. By the time he reached her, someone else had already climbed out of the car and was at Becca's side.

  Hunter sank to his knees, practically shoving the stranger away, only to find it wasn't a stranger.

  It was Vince.

  "Did you hit her?" Hunter snapped, checking Becca over. Other than a bloodied knee, she appeared to be okay physically.

  "No, I didn't hit her, you blasted idiot! She fell, and I saw it just as I was looking for a spot to park!" Vince snarled. "What are you two doing out here? What's going on?"

  When Hunter tried to help Becca to her feet, she shoved his hands away. So, she was pissed about the journal and refusing his help. "Come on, Bec. Don't do this," he pleaded, hating that Vince was going to know they'd been fighting. What did he want anyway?

  "Becca, what did he do to you?" Vince asked, holding out his own hand. He brushed off his suit with the other. He really had to insinuate that Hunter did something to Becca? Did everyone think he was a monster or something?

  She kept looking between the two of them before she put her hands on the ground and forced herself up. Hunter knew she was struggling, but he backed away. He knew not to get in her way when she had the determination to do something on her own. She staggered a little, but once she was on her feet, she flew through signs so fast, he couldn't catch what she was trying to tell them. Vince's headlights and a few dim streetlights helped a little. All Hunter knew was that she had a lot of fury in her right now. Then Becca hobbled away back to the apartment.

  "What just happened?" Vince took a few steps toward him.

  Go ahead and hit me. See what happens.

  "Mind your own business," he snapped, walking away from Vince. "I didn't hurt her, you ass! Not the way you're thinking."

  Vince followed him and started yelling. "Hey! I came over for a reason and I'm not going to let you get in my way! I'm going to park my car and you damn well better let me talk to Becca."

  Hunter stopped and turned. "I'm not stopping you from anything. You take it up with Becca if you want to talk. Good luck though, since you never did care to learn sign language. Not that you ever listen to what she had to say before." Throwing insults, even though it was true, was a childish act. He needed to chill. This whole thing of fighting with Becca drained him of any rationality he still had left. He stormed off to the apartment, hearing Vince's car tires over the cracked pavement and wondering what the hell else was going to happen tonight.

  The door was closed but not locked. Good, because Hunter didn't have a key and he'd really hate to bug Rissi right now if she didn't already hear the chaos before now. He opened the door and searched the apartment for Becca. He found her in the bathroom cleaning up her scraped knee.

  He shouldn't have taken the journal and thrown it away, no matter how it pissed him off. Too late now unless he wanted to dive in the dumpster and get it, but doing that wouldn't fix the problem. It was so much more than one little thing.

  Her cheeks were red and flushed and her eyes were bloodshot, but she barely shed a tear.

  Hunter knelt beside her. "I'm sorry." His words came out in a regretful choke. Why did he have to screw up again?

  She turned away, continuing to swipe at the blood. She'd hit it pretty good. Hunter noticed a small bit of gravel embedded in the middle of the large gash. She was having a hard time with shaky fingers and her fist kept clenching again.

  "Let me help," he whispered, feeling like the scum on the bottom of a shoe. "You're shaking." Like she didn't know that? Good one, idiot!

  Becca moved to sit on the edge of the tub, facing him. Hunter carefully removed the small rocks and cleaned her knee.

  "We'll hire a private investigator. We'll do as much searching on our own as we can." Hunter broke the silence as he unwrapped a bandage and smoothed it over her knee. "Whatever it takes, however much it costs, I'll help you find the truth. Whatever your grandparents know or don't know, we'll find it out. I promise you that." Shoving aside the peroxide, washcloth and box of bandages, he sank down on the blue-green rug before her, taking her hands in his. "I know I'm not good with promises most times, but this one I'm certain on."

  She gave a slight jerk of her head. He wanted to pick her up, wrap her in his arms and beg for her to forgive him, but a knock on the door put a stop to that. Becca squeezed his hands, her eyes wide.

  Hunter sighed. "It's just Vince. He really wants to talk to you. He went to park his car." Some people never took a damn hint!

  "I know you're in there!" Vince called.

  Hunter climbed to his feet, helping Becca up. He slid an arm around her shoulders as she hobbled next to him to the door. Becca yanked it open and they both waited for Vince to say something.

  He glared at Hunter for the longest time before he spoke. "I don't suppose you'll let me in so we can have this conversation away from prying ears? I'm surprised the neighbors haven't come out already."

  Becca took a step back, ducking under Hunter's arm. Each step she made with a limp was like a stab wound in his gut. At least she'd only fallen instead of being hit like he original thought, but still. If he hadn't acted out on impulse, this wouldn't have happened. Vince passed him and walked inside.

  "So
... you're really moving." Vince waved his hands at the chaos of packed and unpacked boxes.

  "What's left to keep me here?"

  "I don't-" Vince turned to Hunter, mouthing a silent plea for help.

  Hunter held back a retort. "She asked what's left to keep her here."

  "You have a job you love, don't you? Friends? Family?" Vince tried to plead his case. Hunter hid an eye roll. So convincing. Not!

  A sound escaped from Becca's throat. "I lost my job because I don't have a voice, my friends understand why I'm going, and what family? My grandparents made it clear ages ago they never wanted me."

  Once again, Hunter interpreted.

  "I can't convince you to give me a chance?" Even though it came out as a question, Hunter could tell it was more of a statement.

  Becca shot to her feet. "You don't want me by your side for love! I don't know what your motives are, but you don't love me. What is it you want really? I'm tired of the lies from everyone." She shot Hunter a frown at that statement, too. "If you loved me for me, you'd be able to understand what I'm telling you right now."

  "I do care for you," Vince said after Hunter finished.

  "There's a difference between caring and love," Hunter chimed in, immediately regretting it. He knew as well as Becca that Vince had ulterior motives. That much was obvious. "Why do you want to be with Becca so much anyway?"

  "I can't talk about it."

  For the first time since he'd met the man, Hunter noticed how uncomfortable Vince got all of a sudden. He shifted his weight from side to side. He fidgeted. Vince couldn't look Becca in the eye.

  "Then I have nothing more to say to you. Enjoy your life, Vince." Becca stumbled away to the bedroom, closing the door with an echoing thud.