by Aliyah Burke
‘Breakfast.’
Tired, and more than a bit hung-over, Enzo had showered and gone to the suite he’d got for Halyn. There’d been no answer so he’d come down here. He watched her smile at Liev but he knew deep in his gut something was wrong. She’d lost the spark she’d had.
Turning his ball cap backwards, he made his way through the tables until he reached theirs. “Morning,” he said, with a kiss to Halyn’s cheek.
“Good morning,” she replied.
He sat beside her and saw her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “How are you this morning, Liev?”
“Hungry.”
“Looks like it.” Facing Halyn again, he asked, “Is your headache better?”
“Yes, thanks for asking.” She stood up. “Excuse me. I’ll see you later, Liev.” She walked away without a look back.
“I’ll be right back, Liev.” Enzo took off after her, catching her at the door. “I’m sorry,” he blurted out.
“For what, Enzo? This was your team’s party. You didn’t need to babysit me.” She watched him unblinkingly. “Or are you apologising for something else?”
Was he? “You were my date for the party. I shouldn’t have left you.”
“I’m a grown woman. Excuse me, I have to go shower and change.”
“For what?”
“Liev and I are going to the museum. Remember, while you have your meeting?”
Shit. He’d totally forgotten. Glancing at his watch, he saw he didn’t have much time. He raked a hand through his hair after yanking off his cap. By the time it was back on him, she had left him standing there.
Once again in the dining room, he fixed a plateful of food and ate with his son. Halyn didn’t even come to get Liev, she just waved at him and he made his way over to where she waited. Together they left. No smile, no hug. No kiss. Yeah, he’d royally fucked up.
* * * *
His meetings ran long and he fought a yawn as they finally left. “Can I just say,” he said to Luke and Steven as they filed out, “how stupid it is to have a meeting the day after New Year’s? Half of them were still hung-over.”
“Like you’re any better,” Luke said, laughing.
Enzo grimaced at the pounding in his skull. “My point exactly.”
“It’s the only time they know all of us are together. I think they plan it that way.”
Enzo grunted. He wanted to join Liev and Halyn, only he hadn’t any clue on which museum they had gone to. Why? Because, ass that he was, he hadn’t asked.
“Where’re you off to?” Steven asked.
“Hotel. Halyn and the kid are off at a museum.”
Steven waved and left them standing in the sun. Enzo looked at his best friend. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure thing.” Luke crossed his arms, leaned against a pillar and hooked his ankles. “What’s up?”
“Something’s changed between Halyn and I. I don’t know how to fix it.”
“What is it?”
He shrugged. “That’s the thing. I don’t know.”
“What’d she say when you asked her?” Enzo blinked at him and Luke held out a hand. “Wait, you didn’t ask her what the problem was?”
No, he hadn’t. “She said I had nothing to apologise for, since it was my team throwing the party. Then she added, unless I’ve done something else which requires one.”
“Well? Did you?”
He threw up his hands. “I don’t know. All I know is she isn’t happy. Her spark is gone.”
“In the span of one day? What the fuck did you do to her, man? She seemed fine at the party.”
He blew out an exasperated breath. “I know. I left her to play pool and…now this.”
“My advice, coming from years of marriage, is talk to her. You can’t fix something if you don’t know what it is. Don’t make assumptions on it.”
Enzo knew he was right but part of him was angry. The entire situation didn’t sit well with him. “Thanks, man.”
They parted ways and he climbed behind the wheel of his rental Audi SUV and drove back to the hotel.
Halyn and Liev didn’t show for lunch and as the dinner hour neared, Enzo was beyond upset. He’d called her numerous times and she’d never answered, nor returned his calls. They’d gone straight to voicemail. His mood had fallen faster than a lead balloon, and he bit back his curse when the suite door opened, admitting his son and the woman who was turning him into knots.
The smile on Liev’s face knocked him hard. His own son preferred someone else’s company to his own.
“Almost dinner time,” he said, struggling not to lose his temper. “Why don’t you put your things away, Liev, and we’ll go eat.”
Halyn closed the door behind her and stood near it, watching him. When his son had vanished into his own room, Enzo spun and stalked towards her. For a moment, fear flashed in her gaze. That pissed him off more—she had no call to ever, ever fear him.
“Where the hell have you been?” His tone was so low and dangerous it sounded more like a growl than a human asking a question.
“Museum, like we planned.”
“So long?”
Her gaze narrowed. “I didn’t have a damn clue how long your meeting would last, I didn’t want to bring him back with plans to do something else myself only to have you still gone. So we took our time, saw some of the movies they play and did some participation activities. Had lunch and kept going.” She crossed her arms. “What’s your problem?”
“No word from you. All day. All my calls went to voicemail. Do you have any idea how worried I was?”
“I’m sorry. I tried to call but your voicemail is full. Probably all those women from last night who take such delight in talking about me behind my back. The ones who want me gone from your life, so they can try to land the big-time, hot-shot Enzo Cassano. I called, I texted our plans. If you weren’t so damn hungover you’d remember we talked about the museum Liev and I would go to if you wanted to join us. Don’t push this off on me. I took care of your son while you had a meeting. I had a wonderful day with him. I don’t deserve this. At all.”
She whirled around to jerk open the door and head out to the hall. Grabbing the back of her cargo pants, he stopped her.
“Halyn, wait.”
“No, let me go, Enzo.”
He didn’t. Drawing her back into the room, he placed himself between her and the door. He saw tears gathering in the corners of her eyes and knew she was fighting to keep them contained.
“What women are you talking about? Is this why you left the party last night?” Her jaw tightened and he shook his head. “No, baby. Don’t shut me out. What happened?”
“Nothing. I need to go.”
He truly didn’t want to, but he shoved his own desire back and opened the door for her. It was obvious she didn’t want to cry in front of him and while he might be a bastard, he wasn’t that much of one. As she hurried across the hall, he called out to her, “We’ll be by to get you for dinner in about fifteen minutes.”
She didn’t respond, just walked into her room and shut the door. The click sounded so final.
“Great job, Enzo,” he muttered to himself as he allowed his door to close. He wanted to know what had happened last night. As far as he knew, everyone had been nice to her. Probably were while you were with her, but you left her alone to fend for herself. You know damn well it’s a nest of vipers when the women want a driver.
He’d been so swept up in his old life, it didn’t matter to him. Only the drinking and having fun. Not that he was looking for another woman, that wasn’t it, he just wanted to pretend there were no responsibilities for a while.
Swearing to himself, he ran a hand over his face. When he looked up, Liev stood there watching him. “Let me go put some shoes on and we’ll go get Halyn.”
Those brown eyes were unblinking. Enzo tried for a smile but failed. Once his shoes were on, he returned to the main part of the suite. Liev sat on a chair, reading, ignoring whatever show playe
d on the large, flat-screen television.
They didn’t speak as they went and knocked on Halyn’s door. She opened it with a small smile. One that still didn’t reach her eyes.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Sure.” Hell, even her voice sounded a bit subdued.
“Thoughts on where to go?”
“Wherever you two want is fine with me,” Halyn said, walking on the other side of Liev, keeping the boy between them.
In the elevator, he backed her in the corner. “We’re not done with that conversation, Halyn.”
She ignored him, staring at the door. Two others climbed in behind them so he draped an arm around her shoulder and brushed a kiss along her cheek. When they reached the first floor, he took her hand and they walked after Liev.
They found a place along the beach and sat out in the cool evening air. He watched the woman across from him, her natural curls moving in the breeze and a sad, faraway look in her stunning eyes.
Liev ate heartily but Halyn barely touched her food. Enzo watched her push it around on her plate. He could see her putting up blocks around her heart.
“You not hungry?” he asked, drawing her attention from his son where it had settled through the meal.
“Not so much, no.”
“Perhaps just leaving room for dessert? I see they have a nice selection.”
Her smile was strained and his heart cracked. She didn’t eat any dessert either, and as they walked back to the hotel he could feel her pulling from him with each step they took.
He got Liev ready for bed and as he tucked him in, sank down on his knees. “I need to talk to Halyn, so I’ll be across the hall if you need me.”
“She’s sad.”
Of course Liev had picked up on that. He nodded. “She is, and I need to see what I can do to help. Will you be okay?”
Liev snuggled into his pillow. “I like her.”
“Me too, Liev.” He brushed a kiss over his forehead and left the room, leaving the door propped open to allow a shaft of light entrance.
Ensuring he had his key, he slipped from his room, crossed the hall and knocked.
Halyn hesitated before the door and drew a stabilising breath. She had known it was coming ever since she had got back from the museum with Liev. In that moment, however, she felt exposed. Vulnerable.
Dampening her lips with a swipe of her tongue, she pulled the door open and saw Enzo standing there. His jeans rode low and his shirt stretched tight over his muscled chest. He wore his ball cap, backwards, and his hands were shoved in his pockets.
“May I come in?”
Wordlessly she stepped back and he moved past her. His scent wound around her, prising open the few cracks she’d left unfortified in the walls surrounding her heart.
“About earlier—”
“Let it go, Enzo.” She walked to the couch and curled up at one end. He didn’t sit next to her, instead sitting before her on the coffee table.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I need to know what happened.”
“What happened? There’s nothing to tell.”
“Don’t bullshit me, Halyn. We both know damn well something happened.”
He was getting angry, she could see it. Didn’t mean she wanted to talk about it. “Too bad. I don’t have to say anything. I’m sure you can ask around and someone would tell you.”
“Did someone hurt you?”
The compassion in his voice was nearly her undoing. She fought back the tears. She wouldn’t cry in front of him.
“No.” Okay, so that was a big whopper of a lie.
“Halyn.” He took her hands in his, moving his rough palms along her skin, setting it aflame. “Talk to me.”
“Why? Let’s talk about why you yelled this afternoon, instead.”
He hesitated but nodded. “You want to do that first, fine.”
Did she? Hell no, but anything to keep the tears away.
“I didn’t realise my inbox was full. All I knew was I couldn’t get in touch with you and it freaked me out.”
“We told you where we were going. But you wanted to drink last night. So much that you had a hangover so you couldn’t remember it this morning.” She couldn’t even hide the contempt in her voice.
“So what, I’m not allowed to drink at a party? It was New Year’s Eve.”
Yeah, she knew that. “I’m not your keeper, Enzo. You want to drink every night like that, go ahead. Just don’t be pissy with others when you’re the one who can’t remember shit.”
He dropped her hands and raked his through his hair, knocking off his cap in the process. “Fine. I admit that was wrong of me. And I apologise. Now will you tell me what happened that’s made you like this?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Like this? Like how am I?”
“Sad. Moody. Not the Halyn who arrived here with me, that’s for damn sure.”
“I just got tired of people criticising me.”
His fingers gripped her chin. “Who said something about you?” A complete change came over him, adding to his dangerous air.
“I told you, the women who want you. Nothing about me is right, from my natural hair, to the dress I wore and everything in between. My job, you name it. I’m all wrong for you.” Her voice broke slightly on that last sentence.
“Fuck.” He sat beside her, lifting her onto his lap. “Baby, there was nothing wrong with how you looked last night. You were beautiful.” He cradled her face with his hands. “You are beautiful.”
She struggled. “I don’t want compliments from you, Enzo. That’s not why I told you.”
“Then what do you want?”
She climbed off his lap. He didn’t understand. “I want to go home. Okay, that’s what I want. I don’t belong here in your world.”
“You want me to leave?”
She heard the uncertainty in his voice and it told her more than he ever could. He wasn’t ready to give up this lifestyle. Shaking her head, she crossed her arms to try to ward off the chill bearing down on her.
“No. You should stay. This is the start of a new year of racing for you. I want to go.” Want? Hell, need was more like it.
“We have the rooms for another week.” He leant back against the sofa and watched her carefully.
“I’ll reimburse you for mine. I… I feel like you want me here as a babysitter for Liev.”
He frowned. “How can you say that?”
“We’ve been here for four days. Short of the time the babysitter watched him for the party, I’ve been watching him so you could do endorsements, meetings and whatever else. Not you.”
“I thought you liked my son.”
“I do. But I told you before, I wasn’t going to be his babysitter.” She began pacing. “I think it best I leave. You have people to watch him here. I’m not needed.”
He got to his feet. “What if I said I needed you? Would you stay then?”
Her heart thudded a bit harder. “Do you? Need me?” Staring into his gorgeous brown eyes, she saw his reluctance to say anything of the sort to her. She smiled sadly, then walked up and pressed her hand against his chest. “Don’t worry about it, Enzo. I get it.”
“Halyn,” he said, reaching for her.
“I’m sorry, Enzo. I really want to get some sleep. I’ll see you and Liev in the morning.” Ignoring the tears that dangled over the edge, she opened the door and waited for him to leave.
“We’ve not discussed this all the way,” he protested.
“Later then. I’m getting a headache. Please.” She gestured at the door.
He rose and walked by her, pausing to kiss her. She gave him a barely-there smile when he stepped into the hall, then shut the door in his face as the first warm, salty tear fell.
Her night was difficult and when morning came, exhaustion owned her. She packed her bags and had them on the inside of her door when she met Liev and Enzo for breakfast.
“You okay, Halyn?” He dipped his head for a ki
ss and touched a knuckle to her cheek. “Did you sleep?”
“Rough night,” she said.
She held her peace at breakfast and when Enzo walked off to get a coffee refill she looked at Liev. “I’m heading home today, Liev. I’ll see you when you get back. I hope you have fun with your papa.”
“Are you not having fun here?”
She forced the smile. “I’m having fun with you, but I have to return to work.” Way to go, Halyn, lie to the kid.
“I understand.”
She had the oddest feeling he truly did.
Enzo returned and sat. “So, how about a trip to the space museum?” At his question, Liev’s eyes lit up. “I’ll take that as a yes. Halyn, you in?”
“No, thank you.” She stood. “I hope you two have a blast.” On autopilot, she kissed both of their cheeks, then walked back to her room. She had a few hours until she had to check out, so she pulled out her latest mystery book.
Not much later, Enzo stopped by on their way out to ask her once more if she’d like to join them. Again, she declined and closed the door on him. After finishing her chapter, she decided to check out, and took a taxi to the train station. She’d booked herself a ride on the rails—trains had always relaxed her.
The closer she got to Oregon the calmer she felt. Mila would be waiting to pick her up, so she had nothing to worry about. Closing her eyes, she fell into a deep sleep.
When she approached her stop, she gathered her luggage in hand then disembarked from the train. She scanned the people at the station—it didn’t take her long to find Mila.
“Halyn!”
Seconds later she was in a tight hug.
“Hey, Mila.”
She pulled back. “Are you okay?”
“Not now, Mila, okay?”
“You got it. Let’s get going. I have some food in the crock pot for you to eat.”
Her stomach grumbled on cue. “Awesome. I didn’t eat much on the train.”
On the ride home, she began to tell Mila what had happened.
“And you didn’t beat the shit out of that bitch for what she said?” Mila asked, aghast.
