by Rye Hart
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t think that I was at least.”
“I don’t see any blood or anything.”
“Roco just texted me,” Libby said, coming from the bathroom with a pale face and phone in hand. “What should I say? He’s looking for me back at the shop.”
“Tell him that you went down to another shop,” I said. “Whatever one you can think of that is away from here.”
“Do you honestly think he had something to do with it?” Libby asked.
I felt Abigail rest her head against my shoulder with a quivering breath. I didn’t miss the quick look Libby sent her.
“Yes,” I said, darkly. “I have no doubts. I’ve had a feeling from the day he was here at the hotel trying to talk to you both.”
“He kept tabs through me,” Libby said, aghast. “I’m sorry, Abi. I had no idea. I shouldn’t have forced you to come on this trip.”
Her fingers danced across her phone screen. “Done,” she said and looked up at me the. “Let’s get the fuck out of here before someone else comes back.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN - ABIGAIL
I couldn’t let go of Harley’s hand no matter how hard I tried not to hold on. I had no idea if he was annoyed with it either, but he never pulled away. His fingers remained strong and steady intertwined in mine the entire flight back to the United States.
The sight and sounds of Manhattan never felt more welcoming the moment we touched down in a private plane my Dad sometimes used to charter around the city if he had too. Two SUV’s with armed guards waited for us when we walked outside of the airport.
“Tell me everything that happened between you two later,” Libby whispered into my ear, hugging me tightly to her. “I’m sorry, Abi. I can’t forgive myself for the danger I put you into.”
I hugged her back fiercely. The both of us looked like hell with our pale skin, unbrushed hair, and smudged mascara. I know Libby hadn’t slept once on the entire flight back as well.
“Don’t blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault. Text me to let me know when you made it home okay.”
“I will,” Libby said, and she nodded at Harley who stood at my side still with his hand in mine. “Thanks, Harley. I’m sorry I was such a pain in the ass the entire time.”
Harley didn’t say anything. We watched her disappear into an SUV before Harley’s hand guided me to the one waiting for us. He let go of my hand before reclining back into the leather seat with a long sigh.
“I never thought it’d feel good to be back in Manhattan,” he said, rolling the window down a crack to let fresh air in.
“No kidding,” I said, and resisted the urge to reach across to grab his hand. We were now surrounded by drivers hired from my Dad to take us back to our Manhattan apartment. “I used to hate it sometimes— the city noise. I used to want to live in a small town upstate to just escape the constant traffic and noise.”
We fell into silence while the SUV navigated through traffic. I half-listened to Harley talk with the other drivers about the details of what happened. I'm sure one of the drivers was from the FBI, or a cop, knowing my Dad. He had been furious on the plane phone when I had called to talk to him.
My days of living the country were officially done.
The weight of that realization along with the memory of what had happened on the beach settled on me painfully. It had been such a good time on that beach too. I glanced over at Harley who was distant as usual whenever people were around. I was paid to protect you.
I swallowed down the bitterness of it. I had made the decision to be with him. For that brief moment with him, I had felt alive and free of everything. I refused to regret losing myself to the person who had saved my life on the beach without hesitation. The person I was falling in love with.
The second I entered through the front door of my parents Manhattan apartment, my Mom swept me up into a tearful and nearly hysterical embrace. I patted her on the back awkwardly while I tried to fight tears off too.
“My poor baby girl,” she cried, sweeping a hand across my forehead. “I can’t believe this happened to you. Do we know who they were?”
My Dad came from the kitchen. “Not yet,” he said, and also gave me a tight hug that nearly brought me to tears again. “Are you okay, Abigail?”
“I’m fine, Dad,” I said, batting away the urge to sob. “I’m here because of Harley.”
“I know. Aren’t you happy I hired someone to come with you?”
I smiled a little at the sarcastic question. He released me to nod over at Harley who stood politely behind us with his hands tucked behind his back. “We cannot express our gratitude for saving Abigail. Your check is doubled.”
Harley shook his head. “Not necessary, sir. It’s not about money for me.” Our eyes met then, but I couldn’t decipher the look in Harley’s eyes. “I’m just glad that she is alive, and we were able to get out as quickly as we could.”
My Mom pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Maybe you should lay down, Abi. We’d like to talk with Mr. Jordan before he leaves.”
“Sure,” I said and turned to look at Harley with reluctance. Laying down sounded wonderful, but I longed for a moment alone with Harley. I had gotten so used to reaching out to touch him. “Do you mind if I have a moment alone with Harley?”
My parents exchanged a look before my Dad nodded. “Of course. Just a moment though.”
They left the living room to go into the kitchen to give us a small bit of privacy. I imagined my Mom was leaning up against the kitchen door, so I kept it wordless as possible. I wrapped my arms around Harley’s waist tightly. His arms wrapped around my shoulders as well in a tight embrace.
“Get some rest,” he said, breath stirring the strands of hair on my head. “I will be by later to check on you.”
“Thank you,” I said, and pulled back to stare up at him. “For everything. I regret the trip had to end so quickly though.”
“I know.”
Not caring that my parents were most likely listening in curiously, I stood on tip toes to press my lips against his for a soft kiss. Harley broke it off quickly before anything could escalate, but I had felt his hands twitch against my shoulder blades.
I left him standing in the living room before entering the guest room down the hallway. The wall space were windows that overlooked Manhattan. I set my purse down on the bedside table before standing up against the warm glass to watch the steady stream of cars and people down below.
I could hear the distant chatter of my parents down in the kitchen. If they suspected anything had happened between Harley and me, there was no doubt in my mind they were trying to fish it out of Harley himself.
My Dad would still give him the check though if Harley did admit to it. I sighed loudly before kicking my shoes off to collapse on the feather top. The past 24 hours ticked by me surreally as I stared up at the ceiling of the room. I smelt horrible, and my hair felt grimy and tangled from our rush to board a plane.
As panicked as it had been to get out, I had known it was going to be okay with Harley sitting there. A shiver went through me thinking of his lethal aim. I had killed people. He didn’t seem bothered by anything. His face had remained stoic the entire plane ride home. The only source of comfort had were through his fingers squeezing mine.
I had no idea if I was ever going to see him again, but I was too tired to even get out of bed to ask him. All I could do was pray that come tomorrow morning everything would be okay again. I curled up on my side to hold onto the pillow with a sigh before a dark and dreamless sleep took over me for the first time in a few days.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN - HARLEY
“Dear,” Robert glanced over at his wife as Abi walked out of the room. “Could you grab the checkbook off my desk and bring it here? I’d appreciate it.” His expression hardened a little as he turned to face me after his wife left the room. “I appreciate all you’ve done, but if you think I’m a fool, you’re wrong, son.”
I nodded, not quite
sure what to say. I respected the guy, but I’d taken his daughters virginity when I’d been paid to stand guard beside her. In the way of honor, I was a piece of shit, which was new to me. Having a big handful of metals from the armed forces that said differently, for the first time in a long time, I was in conflict with myself.
“Sir, I-”
“No. Please don’t apologize or explain. Abigail is my only child. I don’t honestly want to know if someone almost twice her age took advantage of her.” His lips pursed into a tight line, and I felt sick to my stomach.
“Took advantage of her?” I choked out.
He lifted his eyebrow. “Would you call it something else?”
“I’m not sure what you think happened, but-”
“You were hired to protect her, and you did. Thank you for that, but if I see you anywhere near her in the future, I will make your life a living hell. Steer clear of her. She deserves a man who isn’t tainted by war with blood on his hands.”
I stiffened. I’d always thought that Mr. Carter was a friend to the military. Obviously, he had a few hidden feelings. Where I wanted to defend myself, lying to him wasn’t happening. I had too much honor after serving alongside good men and losing them.
“Here we are,” Lauren walked back into the room and lifted the checkbook toward her husband as her expression turned to worry. “Oh, I’m sorry. Is everything okay?”
“Yep. Harley and I were just going on what happened in detail. Nothing you need to hear about, dear.” He gave me a stern look before walking to his desk, leaning over and filling out the check.
“Well, I’m just so thankful that Robert hired the right man for the job.” Her eyes filled with tears as she reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “If anything had happened to my baby-”
“Here. I’ll show you to the door.” Robert’s voice was curt.
“Thank you, both. I can show myself out. You just take care of Abigail.” I narrowed my eyes a little, letting the older man know that even though he’d won the battle, I was still watching and waiting to win the war.
He might have scared the shit outta everyone else, but if somehow I came to the conclusion that Abi was going to be mine, no one was going to stop me. Not even him.
“Right.” Robert’s disgust followed me out as I walked into the bright sunny afternoon and made my way over to my bike. I was grateful for the decision to bring it over before we left for the trip instead of letting him send a chauffeur to pick me up. The last thing I wanted to do was ride home in the back of a big black limo, feeling like a little boy who’d been punished for misbehaving. I was a fucking man in my thirties.
Abi wanted me, and I gave into her. Plain and simple.
I enjoyed the wind in my hair as I drove to my Mom’s little house on the east side of town, the people there were so much more welcoming and at ease. Poverty did that to people though. When there was no way out of the hole you were in, at times you finally just settled into it and put up some furniture.
My Mom met me at the door as I walked up the stairs. “You’re back early, baby.”
“Hey, Mom.” I pulled her into a quick hug. “I’m happy to see you. It’s a long story.”
“Good. I like stories. I just pulled a pie out of the oven. Tell me all about it.” She smiled and moved back, letting me into the house. The smell of apples and cinnamon filled my nose, and I couldn’t help but think about Abi.
There was no way I could just walk away from her, could I?
“You got a lot on your mind. Take a load off and tell me all about it.” She cut me a piece of pie and sat down, and I opened up my soul and spilled all my shit to my best friend and only remaining family member.
At the end of me being a little too honest about Abi, my Mom blushed and chuckled. “Well, sounds to me like you might be falling in love. Don’t let that go, baby. It doesn't come around too often.”
“You think?” I licked my fork and smiled like a tomcat, feeling more like myself than I had in months. “Her Dad will likely string me up.”
“It’s all part of the fun.” She reached out and patted my arm. “You’re special forces. Figure out a way to make it all happen. It’s part brains, and part strategy. You got both. Use them.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - ABIGAIL
I must have slept for two days straight. By the time I got back up, everyone was gone to church. My Dad would give me hell for missing it, but knowing my Mom, she would take my side and calm everyone down.
After taking a long shower and brushing the tangles from my hair, I walked down to the kitchen and breathed in deeply. Janice, my Dad’s chef, had a pot roast in the crock pot and was singing Bruce Springsteen at the top of her lungs.
I laughed and tapped her on the shoulder.
“Oh hell!” She jumped, turned around and pulled her ear buds out. “Child, you scared the hell out of me!”
I laughed and moved into the warm hug she provided. “See there? No need for church when you can get the hell scared out of you in the kitchen, right?”
“Don’t let your Daddy hear you say that.” She laughed again and released me. “You gave us a big scare, missy. You know you’ll always be the baby around here. You’re the only one we got to raise.”
“I realize that.” I moved around her and picked up an apple before hopping up to sit on the counter beside her cutting board. “I’m not a baby anymore though. I’m a grown woman, and I want to start living my life. It’s stupid that I still have to ask to go places and take a bodyguard with me.”
“Really?” She glanced over at me and put a hand on her portly hip. “Girl, you’re out of your mind. I saw that bodyguard, and I’m telling you this… he can guard my body any time he wants to.”
I chuckled and almost choked on my apple. “He was handsome.” A dreamy feeling raced through me, and I realized how badly I wanted to see him again.
“Your Dad is handsome. This man was F-I-N-E, fine.” She handed me a napkin as juice from the apple ran down my chin. “He and your Daddy had a rough talk though from what I gather.”
“Rough talk?” I tilted my head to the side as my heart sunk in my chest. “Harley saved my life and got me back home safely.”
“And your Dad thinks something happened between the two of you.” She lifted her eyebrow and pressed me with a hard stare. “Now you know I don’t gossip, but did something happen?”
“That I can’t share, Janice.” I hopped off the cabinet and walked toward the front door as the sound of my parents coming into the house filled up the foyer.
“They replaced the twelfth disciple, honey. I’m telling you. It’s in the book.” My Dad turned to face my Mom with his hand on his hip. That was never good.
“No. They didn’t.” My Mom leaned around him. “Hi, baby. You look good.” She moved in front of me and gripped my shoulders. “Are you feeling okay? You slept forever.”
“Two days, Mom. Not forever.” I hugged her and eyed my Dad. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Dad?”
“Yep. In the office.” He turned and walked toward the office, lifting his hand in the air. “And I’m telling you, there was another disciple after Judas. Look it up honey, and then you can let me know that I’m the winner.”
“You’re wrong!” She yelled playfully behind us as I followed my Dad. It was nice to see that he had a regular relationship with someone, but he always had that with my Mom. They were friends, lovers, partners in all things.
It’s the type of relationship I wanted my whole life, the type of relationship I could see myself in with a man like Harley.
“Right this way,” my Dad said and moved back. “And tell me now… is this about Harley?”
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him. “Yes. Why?”
“Lauren. You’re needed in here with us.” He left the door open and walked to his black leather couch, dropping down and letting out a long sigh.
“And why does Mom need to be in here?”
“Because,” he gave me a stern look, �
��Your Mom and I have been discussing you and Harley for the last two days, sleeping beauty. It’s not right.”
“What about Harley and me?” My voice rose as heat scorched my chest. This wasn’t going to go well. It never did with my Dad.
“About whatever happened between the two of you over in Madrid, baby.” My Mom walked in and stopped beside me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “We could tell something was up, and your Dad saw you kiss him.”
“He saved my fucking life.” I pulled away from her as tears burned my vision.
“Watch your language,” my Dad barked out.
“Robert. She’s hurting. Leave her be.” My Mom wrapped me in a tight hug and kissed the top of my head. Of course she was going to treat me like a child. I was acting like one. “You know that we love you.”
I pulled back and glanced up at her. “Yes, well then, let me live my life. Please?”
“Your Dad and I have reservations about you being with someone like Harley.” She brushed my tears away.
“Like?” I glanced over at my Dad. The conversation was really with him. My Mom was just cannon fodder of sorts.
“Like him being ten years older than you,” my Dad lifted his fingers, counting off the things wrong with me and Harley like he was working on a how-to manual, “and he has a tormented past, and he’s not a relationship kind of guy. He’s killed people before, baby.”
“Dad. You have a tormented past. Just because you fought for freedom in a different way doesn’t mean you haven’t seen some crazy shit.” I pulled out of my Mom’s hold and walked over to my Dad. “Don’t make me choose between you and him. I’m tired of always having to let go of the things I want most to prove my dedication and respect to you. I’m twenty-two years old!”
“Robert.” My Mom moved up beside him and patted him on the chest. “Go check on the roast. I want to take this conversation with Abi, okay?”
