Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) (10 page)

The carnival occupied a small section of the street and consisted of a few rides, games, and performing acts. They weaved past the road barricades and were bombarded with crowds of laughing people having a good time. Rico chuckled. The atmosphere was contagious. He felt a yank on his arm as Avery caught sight of a little, chrome covered trailer advertising funnel cakes. He jogged to keep up as she weaved through the fairgoers.

He ordered one for her as she dug for her wallet. She scowled at him as he handed the clerk a five-dollar bill. Once the money left his hand, he grinned impishly. “Get used to it. I like treating you like a princess.”

Her eyes narrowed.
I am not a princess. I am a Marine.

“I know you are. But you are my princess.”

She glared at him for a moment longer. Then, a smile cracked across her face.
I suppose that makes you my knight in shining armor.

“
Guess so.
”

Well then, sweet knight, you need to work on your endurance. You would get crushed in a fight.

Rico clenched his fingers tightly together before he revealed his own secret. His stubborn pride shouted the words in his head, demanding he sign them. He glanced beyond her shoulder to the water tank. A clown perched precariously over the filled tub, his costume noticeably dry, as he scanned his fingernails in boredom. A group of kids shuffled away, looking dejected. Not one of them had dunked him.

Rico’s grin was evil. “Should we see what kind of valiant knight I can be? Come on.” He took her hand and dragged her to the game. Paying the attendant for three softballs, he wrapped his long, powerful fingers around one.

The clown yawned then looked up at him. A puzzled expression crossed his face as he pointed at Rico. “Hey, I know you. You’re that M—”

Rico didn’t think. He just threw. Lucky for him, the ball struck the target directly in the middle of the bulls-eye. Alarm briefly crossed the clown’s face as his seat disappeared and he dropped into the vat of cold water.

The attendant shook his head in disbelief. “You’re the first person who dunked him in the past three hours. I’m sure he has this game rigged.” He gestured to the array of stuffed animals behind him. “Pick one.”

Rico turned to Avery with a triumphant smile as he mock bowed to her. “Go ahead. Choose, my lady.”

Avery laughed then pointed to a fuzzy, beige bear with a large, red bow. She took it from the attendant and hugged it tight. Rico wrapped his arm around her as they strolled through the fair, so that she didn’t have to let go of her new toy.

Even though the carnival wasn’t big, there was quite a bit to see and do. Rico bought a strand of tickets to ride a couple of the rides. Avery grabbed his hand and led him to the Ferris wheel. He looked up at the contraption warily. Not much fazed him. He found joy in stepping into an octagon, taking the risk that he could be beaten…literally. However, heights sort of freaked him out.

He took in the excited glimmer in Avery’s eye. He couldn’t say no to her. As his stomach flip-flopped, he sank into the seat next to her. It didn’t get better as the ride started up. He thought he was going to get sick when the wheel stopped with them perched at the very top. But all his nerves flew away as she softly, slowly kissed him. Maybe this would be his favorite ride after all.

When they finished riding, they played a few games. They watched the jugglers and a small renaissance troupe perform. As the sun sank in the horizon, they made their way back through the crowd toward Avery’s house.

They passed the magician at the exact wrong moment. Rico wasn’t sure what the tall man dressed in slacks, a dress shirt, and a purple vest covered in silver stars was trying to make disappear. Whatever it was came complete with a bang and a flash of light.

Avery instantly froze, her eyes quickly growing wide in terror. She dropped to her knees and covered her head as she screamed. It was a tiny, high pitched peep. Rico could see her shake in fear. He didn’t need to ask what had happened. He knew.

He fell to his knees beside her and hugged her tight. She was stone still, refusing to respond, as she kept screaming. Slowly, she melted against him as her screams turned to sobs. He gently rocked her as she cried.

“What a loser.”

Rico’s head snapped up at the voice. His eyes slowly scanned the large crowd that had formed around them. A few were laughing. Several more were whispering to each other as they glared condescendingly at Avery’s still, huddled form. Most just stared silently at them.

Rico snarled at the gangly teenager who had made the remark. “That loser sacrificed her hearing fighting in Afghanistan for your freedom.” He shot one last fierce look around the crowd. “Think long and hard about that folks. Her loss gave you the right to shoot your mouths off and pass judgment. I believe it’s called freedom of speech.”

He watched as heads dropped in shame and the group dissipated. A couple gently touched her shoulder as they muttered their thanks. He kept her wrapped tight in his arms until her whimpers subsided then helped her to her feet. He picked up her teddy bear lying on the ground then shepherded her through the barricades back to the sidewalk.

Avery stopped suddenly, wiping the tears from her face.
I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.

Rico covered her hands with his to silence her. Then, he signed. “You did nothing to embarrass me. I’m proud of you and what you have done.”

Yes, but I looked like an idiot.

“
You looked like someone who has been through hell and lived to tell the tale.”

She slugged him in the shoulder as a smile graced her lips. He grabbed his arm in mock complaint then, with a laugh, took her hand in his again.

Once they stepped into the house, he directed her to the couch and had her sit. He tucked the teddy bear beside her.
Rest. I’ll start dinner.

He slipped into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Stacking one container on top of another, he balanced the pile and set them on the counter. He quickly shuffled them in the right order. He startled as he felt something brush his arm. Avery’s crystal blue eyes looked up at him. He smiled. “What happened to your new friend?”

He has a special spot on my bed. Can I help?

“I need a fry pan. Could you get me one please?”

Coming up.
She pulled open the cabinet door next to her and kneeled so she could dig inside. Then, she stood with the pan in her hands. Rico kissed her cheek as he took it from her.

Scooping a little coconut oil from the jar, he melted it over the heat. Then he tossed in the raw chicken pieces, pushing them around.

Avery studied the various vegetables he had brought with him in plastic baggies.
You eat pretty healthy, don’t you?

Rico froze for a moment. What if she asked why? He set the utensil down hesitantly to answer. “I do. You know, body is a temple stuff.”

She grinned at him.
I am not objecting. I love how well you take care of your temple.

Rico felt his cheeks grow hot. It took a lot to get him to blush. At the moment, he must be as red as the tomato sitting next to the stove. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. The smile on her face told him she was certainly enjoying making him squirm a bit.

Avery hopped up on the counter to watch him cook. He loved having her there, munching on the vegetables in the baggies. More than once, their hands met as he reached in to toss some into the skillet with the chicken.

Once the stir-fry was finished, Rico scooped some into bowls. After he plunged a fork into one, he handed it to Avery.
Try it.

She blew on it for a moment to cool it then popped a bite into her mouth. She groaned.
It is so good.

I am glad you like it.

He helped her down from the counter, taking a moment to hold her close before they each took their bowls and headed for the couch. Rico watched Avery as she ate, elated with how much she was enjoying her meal. As she stabbed the last chunk of chicken and slipped it between her lips, she set her bowl down and signed.
That was amazing. You are an incredible cook.

Rico set his bowl down also and sat back, stretching as he did so.
Thank you.

Avery grinned. She took advantage of Rico’s stretch and curled up against his broad chest, wrapping her arms around him. He chuckled as he hugged her tight.

They held each other in silence for a long time before Avery signed.
What would you like to watch?

I am willing to watch anything.

So, that is a vote for a romantic drama?

All right. Almost anything.

Avery giggled as she pulled free from his arms and stood. She rummaged around the television cabinet for a few moments then slipped a disk into the DVD player. A super hero film began to play on the screen. Avery pushed the buttons on the remote to start the subtitles. It reminded Rico of Max and Chloe’s wedding reception. This was his kind of a romantic movie.

She cuddled against him again, using his shoulder as a pillow. He gently rubbed her back. The late night preparing the meal and the long day at the 5k run got the better of him. He fought to keep his eyes open. As the fight scene began, he couldn’t do it any longer. The picture dimmed as he fell asleep.

»»•««

Avery’s heart thundered in her chest as she snapped awake. Her open mouth told her she had to be screaming. The back of her hand burned from something rough scratching against it. She frantically searched around. Her breathing slowed as she realized she was in her living room. The television flashed the DVD logo. She glanced at the cable box—two fourteen in the morning. She felt the couch shift beside her. She rubbed the back of her hand as she slowly turned around.

Rico massaged his jaw as he stared at her with concern. She felt her face flush hot. The light burn against her skin had been the stubble on his cheek. She had smacked him in her sleep.

He let go of his face. “Are you all right? Nightmare?”

Avery shrugged.
Sort of. Memories I would rather forget.

Rico’s expression darkened. “Afghanistan. The bomb.”

She nodded. He tugged her into his arms and held her tight. She felt his forearms let her loose while his biceps still hugged her tight. He cradled her face in his hands, lifting her face until she was looking at him.

“I will never let anything happen to you. Ever. I promise you.”

She nodded as she studied him, slowly exploring his cheekbones, his slightly crooked nose, his sapphire blue eyes. No one had ever promised to protect her. She took care of herself. No one had ever cared about her that much before.

She smiled as she kissed him. His lips parted, his tongue tracing her teeth before tangling with hers. She felt the butterflies let loose in her belly as his fingers, the ones that told her everything about him, now gently stroked her flesh at the curve of her back just above the waistband of her jeans. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “It’s late. You need sleep. I need to get home.”

She gazed into his eyes before she signed her response.
Stay here tonight? Curl up on the couch with me. In case I have more nightmares.

He smiled warmly at her as he caressed her hair. “Of course, I will.”

Avery cuddled against his chest with a sigh. She could feel the thud of his heart against her cheek. She looked up and met his eyes.

“
Tell me about it,” he said.

About what?

“What happened in Afghanistan.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She had never told anyone about the bombing, not even her family. It had torn her dad apart. She was Daddy’s only girl, and he couldn’t help her. But her father wasn’t Rico. Her family had never vowed to protect her. They had made decisions for her, as if she was no longer able to do so for herself. They had taken over as her caretakers when she didn’t need caretakers.

She needed someone to break down her walls, to hold her, to listen. Like Rico did.

She sighed as she picked up her cell and began to type. She could feel him read over her shoulder.
I was a Military Police Officer at Camp Dwyer in the Helmand River Valley of the Garmsir District. Almost instantly, I became friends with Davey Ambrose. I think he was hoping for more at first, but I had no interest. I was more worried about my career. I wanted to be like my dad. Ambrose and I became best friends. We told each other everything. Having someone like that made living in a war torn country a little easier.

One morning, we loaded into the transport to travel to one of the checkpoints. Ambrose was going on about the Yankees. He had just caught a game. Even though I had told him many times I had no interest in baseball, he always bragged about them. And I always listened.

Her eyes burned
. Out of nowhere, the truck filled with fire. I tried grabbing for Ambrose, but grazed his arm as I was thrown out of the vehicle. The explosion was the last thing I heard. I tried staying awake, tried to fight back, but everything went dark.

I woke up in the field hospital. I could see people talking to me, but couldn’t hear them. It was maddening. I found out I had Traumatic Brain injury. I also have damage to my middle ear structures and I also suffered other injuries.
She pulled back her long, blonde curls to show the scaring on her neck. Then, she pulled her shirt off her shoulder to reveal another set of scars. Rico dipped his lips against her skin, kissing her wounds. She smiled softly as the butterflies let loose in her belly again.

She took a deep breath to steady herself before she continued typing on her phone.
When I was finally able to communicate, I asked where Ambrose was. He was big. He was strong. And he was probably tearing the place apart looking for me.

The doctor wrote a message on his notepad telling me he was killed instantly by the IED. I didn’t believe the doctor. He just didn’t know Ambrose. But then, my commanding officer sat down and typed the same thing for me on his laptop. Then, he added that I was being sent to a military hospital in the States. I didn’t have time to mourn. I couldn’t. I swallowed my feelings. I thanked him for all he had done for me by typing it under his note on the laptop, and prepared to leave the hospital.