Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) (4 page)

My hands are still trembling from her touch. The urge to hold her in my arms was so strong I had to tear myself away. I hope she's okay. She has to be okay.
What the fuck?

The recognition in her eyes was immediate. I never planned on that. We only had six months together, and she was so young. How could she remember me?

Leaning forward, I rest my hands on my knees and take deep breaths waiting for the adrenaline to stop rushing through my body. It's been years since I've been this close to her.

I need to get out of here. The smell of her hair is still too fresh, sparking feelings I haven't allowed in ages. Desperate to get my head straight, I drive back to the hotel. Sticking around is no longer an option.

I pull into valet and walk straight to my room. My shock turns to anger.
How in the fuck didn't I know she had a boyfriend?
Pulling out my cell, I dial the number of the only person who can answer that question.

"Ed,” I bark into the phone as a greeting.

"Yes, Mr. Solis?"

"Why am I just finding out that Ms. Muñoz has a boyfriend?"

"We just found out ourselves, Mr. Solis. You've been traveling, and we haven't had a chance to update you."

"Bullshit. I pay you good money to keep me informed. I have you contacting me when she changes her brand of toothpaste. You didn't think this was important?"

"Mr. Solis, this is a new development. She was very discreet about it, and it wasn't until recently that we've spotted them out together. We do have other clients, sir."

His flippant tone infuriates me.

"Fuck your other clients. I'll double your fee. I want to be your most important client. Do you hear me? If she so much as breaks a fingernail, I want to know about it. Got it?"

"Yes, sir."

I end the call and the urge to start breaking shit overwhelms me. I slide my room key into my back pocket and head straight to the hotel bar.
Ben.
Of all the people she could have met, my new obstacle is now my own nephew. Not age and not her parents—my own family.

I WAKE UP WITH A
jolt to a blood-curdling scream. Ari is sitting up in bed and pleading with someone to stop. Her eyes are closed, she's wringing her hands, and a stream of tears is making its way down her cheeks.

"Wake up, babe. You're okay. You're okay."

"Please." She continues to plead between her sobs.

I don't even want to imagine what she's dreaming about. My words alone aren't enough to wake her. I place my hands over hers.

"Baby, please wake up," I beg. She startles awake when I squeeze her hand.

"Ben?" Her watery eyes meet mine in the dimly lit room.

"I'm here. You're okay." I bring her into my lap, and she buries her face into my chest. Placing her hands over her face, she continues to sob.

"Hey. Shh . . . shh. I got you. You're okay. You want to talk about it?"

"No. I'm sorry. I don't blame you if you don't want to stay here anymore," she whispers between sobs. "I'm sorry, Ben. I'm so sorry."

"Look at me." I gently grip her chin and tilt her head to meet my eyes. The mixture of fear and defeat I see in them breaks my heart. "I love you. You've gone through this alone for too long. I'm here for whatever you need. Got it?"

She nods and wipes at her tears with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"Don't be. I just want you to be okay." I lie back bringing her with me, knowing better than to push her into talking about what she was dreaming about. At least not tonight. She follows willingly and gets comfortable in her favorite spot. Leg wrapped around mine, arm wrapped around my waist, and face buried in my neck.

"I love you." The three words I will never get sick of hearing tickle my skin.

"I love you, too." Kissing the top of her head, she begins to relax. I run my hands through her hair lulling her back to sleep.

My phone alarm feels like it goes off just minutes after we've fallen asleep. Ari is still curled up next to me. I reach over to the nightstand and turn off the incessant blare of the foghorn filling the room. Luckily, the noise doesn't startle her. She looks too peaceful to wake. I lay with her in my arms until my hands move of their own accord and start playing with her hair.

"What time is it?" she asks with a rasp.

"It's ten."

"We're going to be late." She groans. "Aren't we supposed to open the house for the rental company?"

"Yeah, you had a rough night, so I wanted to let you sleep a little longer." She tenses at my response. "It's okay. Just stay here. I'll run over and let them in. You can get ready while I'm gone then we'll head over to your parents."

Sunday visits with her parents are Ari's thing, and they were gracious enough to extend an invitation to me yesterday. After the night she had, I think we could use the distraction of family today.

"Okay. You sure you don't want me to go with you?"

"No. I'm good. They said they would be there between ten thirty and eleven. I won't be long." She leans in, gives me a quick peck on the lips, and slides out of bed.

The swollen-eyed girl staring back at me in the mirror is a hot mess. To say I had a rough night is an understatement. I need to get it together. It's only a matter of time until he presses me to get help, and if I'm being honest with myself, I need it. This secret is even bigger than the first. How I'll manage to keep it together in front of Ben if his uncle decides to make another appearance is beyond me. This will break him and I'm just not prepared to do that.

I take a long, hot shower to wash away all thoughts of last night’s episode. Today is a new day and he's leaving.
He's leaving
, I repeat to myself.
But for how long?
Those thoughts fade away as I read the 'I love you' Ben wrote in the steam of the mirror. I've just finished wrapping a towel around my head when I hear the faint ringing of my phone coming from my bedroom. A cold gust of air greets me as I open the door of the bathroom. Steam rises from my warm skin as I rush toward the nightstand and grab it just before the last ring.

"Hello?"

"Can I speak to Ben?" The recognition is immediate, and I'm stunned into silence.

"Hello . . . hello . . .” I pull the phone away from my ear. Am I hallucinating? How did he get my number? I look at the screen, and Uncle Amos is printed across the screen.

"H- Hello," I finally manage to answer. I square my shoulders and muster up every ounce of courage I have left in me.
He can't hurt you. He can't hurt you.

"Do I have the wrong number?" he asks. I place the phone back to my ear and try to steady my voice.

"No. Ben must have taken my phone accidentally. He went back to the house. Can I take a message?"

"Oh . . . uh . . . no. No message. I was getting ready to board my plane, and I just wanted to say good-bye."

"Okay, I'll let him know you called when he gets back. Bye." My thumb is hovering over the key to end the call when I hear him say my name.

"Ari . . .” 
Hang up. Hang up.

The line is silent as he waits for me to respond. My hands start to tremble uncontrollably at the sound of my name.

"Y-yes?"

"Can you tell him I'm sorry I'll miss his graduation and that I'll call as soon as I can? Will you give him that message for me?" His voice lowers to the husky one he used on me when I was little.

"Sure. I'll tell him." I end the call and toss the phone on my bed before he has a chance to respond. My stomach roils, and I barely make it to the restroom before it decides to empty itself.

I grab my keys off the nightstand and head out in a rush. I'm not sure leaving her alone for too long is a good idea today. Fuck! I should have just had Ruth unlock the house. I park just as the party rental workers are pulling up in their truck.
Good, this shouldn't take long at all.
As I'm opening the back gate, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I swipe the screen without looking and cradle it with my shoulder so I can finish my task.

"Hello?" No response.

"Hello,
" 
I repeat.

"Ben?" a woman's voice I don't recognize comes through the receiver putting me on alert. I haven't given my number to anyone, and I really don't need this shit today.