Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) (40 page)

My heavy lids struggle to open as I hear my name being shouted.

"Ari . . . Ari . . . wake up, baby."

My vision comes back into focus, I’m on the living room floor and Ben is crawling toward me. His face is beaten and bloody. I watch in a daze as he reaches his hand to mine, and like a scene in a movie, Amos pulls him back by his shoulders, tosses him to the ground, and begins to choke him.

“She’s mine,” he grits out.

I watch in horror as Ben’s legs flail. Amos is using all of his strength as he squeezes the life out of him. The angry words he spits at him scare me, and he does not intend to stop until he’s gone.

I scramble to my feet, looking around the room for something to stop him. A wine bottle sits on the dining room table, and I carefully work my way over to grab it. Putting every bit of anger behind my swing, I hit Amos in the temple. He passes out from the blow and as his body hits the floor, I watch in horror as Ben takes his last breath.

The flight home was almost as bad as the flight to London. My only consolation was that I knew she was safe; now, only my heart is being threatened. I want to believe her, but I'm still too angry to see her tonight. I'm hoping a good night's sleep will clear my head.

I Uber it to my grandmother's house, rethinking my decision the whole way. Even through my hurt and anger, I long to hold her. The kitchen light is the only thing on in the house as we pull into the driveway. My car is parked exactly where I left it. The driver helps me with my bags, and I unlock the front door calling out into the empty house.

"Hello.” Amos’ car is gone so I'm not surprised when there's no answer. I’m wheeling my bags into the bedroom when something in the kitchen catches my attention.

What the fuck.

Photos spread out over the table and countertops. An open laptop with what looks like security footage plays on the screen. As I look closer, it’s of Ari’s apartment—her bedroom, to be exact—and the camera points directly at her bed. The screen flashes and switches to her shower. My fists clench.
He’s been watching her.
She’s a teenager in some of these pictures, and it doesn’t make any sense until I see it. A children’s song book covered in stickers. The name Rely is written in purple crayon across the front.
Fuck.

Her phone repeatedly rings with no answer as I race through the dark streets toward her house. Every scenario now makes complete sense. I can’t believe I sent that asshole to check on her; the thought riddles me with guilt. Pulling into the first open space, I jump out of the car and sprint to her front door.
Please be okay.

The look in her eyes will stay with me forever.

Bright lights flash behind my closed lids.

"Ben . . . Ben."

A familiar voice calls my name, and I try to listen as someone explains what happened to me.

"Ben . . . It's Karen. Can you hear me? I know Rosemarie's not ready to see you yet. You have to fight. Do you hear me?" Her voice sounds further away as the darkness takes me.

The lights are back; I try to move, but my body feels like it’s being held down by weights. Garbled voices surround me. I concentrate on making them out.
Nothing.
I’m tired; it's easier in the dark.

"Please . . . please wake up." The sound of her voice pulls me from wherever I've been. "I'm sorry for keeping this from you. It's my fault you’re here, and I'll never forgive myself. Please wake up. I need you."

Stay in the light.

I sat on the living room floor and watched as they tried to bring him back to me. Emergency workers came barging through the front door shortly after the bottle slipped from my hand. Letty wasn’t far behind, and she stood by me as a piece of my heart was put on a gurney and wheeled out to the ambulance. That was three days ago.

He hasn't moved. They removed his breathing tube this morning and have assured me it’s a good sign. Every time his eyes twitch, I hold my breath in hopes he’ll open them. I'm not ready to let go; this can't be the way our story ends. Not when we haven’t had a shot at a real beginning.

I’ve refused to leave his side. Elizabeth blames me.
Shocker.
She tried to have me removed from the ICU, telling the staff I wasn’t family. A look that rivaled the devil must have passed my features because Andrew was quick to intervene. She hasn’t bothered me since.

The waiting area is full. Everyone has been here to see him. Fraternity brothers, his teammates, even Eli flew in from New York as soon as he heard. They've come in and out of the room, giving me their well wishes, their hugs, and their “I'm sorry,” but it doesn't matter if he never wakes up.

Vonne rushed down from San Diego, she pulled me into a hug as soon as she laid eyes on me, and we cried for what seemed like forever. I promised never to keep a secret from her again. My parents blame themselves. They said they felt something was off at the funeral when he introduced himself; his face was familiar, but they couldn't place him. He used the name Gabe with them too. Natalie came by trying to apologize, but I refused to see her.

I'm exhausted. I haven't slept for fear that he'll wake up and I'll miss it. Even if only for a second, I need to see him open those amber eyes.

We're finally alone. Elizabeth presses a kiss to his forehead before she and Andrew leave for the night. She gives me a sad smile before leaving the room. I sit in the vacant chair next to him and sandwich his hand in mine. Working slow circles with my thumb, I pray silently begging God to send him back to me

Karen comes in to check his vitals. She’s been his nurse since he was brought in. I’m thankful she's been taking care of him, just as she took care of Nana Rosemarie. She's kept me updated on any changes and having her around is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment.

"Everything looks good, Ari. Just keep talking to him. He'll come around." She gives my shoulder a little squeeze before leaving the room.

His lip is split, and large purple bruises mar his face and neck, the outline of fingers giving me a constant reminder.

"I should have killed him for what he did to you. I'm so sorry, baby." My fingers run over the stubble on his jaw as I will him to open his eyes. I place a soft kiss to his lips and a soft moan escapes him.

"Ben . . . Ben . . . Can you hear me?" His eyes flutter, and he releases another moan.

"Oh, my God . . . Karen." I yell out toward the hall and frantically press the call button near his bed.

"Ben?” His eyes open and close a few times before focusing them on me.

"Ari?" It comes out like a whisper, and it’s the best sound I’ll ever hear.

1 year, 6 months later . . .

THE JINGLING OF KEYS MAKES
her stop mid-concerto. Her body stiffens as her aunt tells us she needs to leave. I fight with that demon inside me that has wanted to touch her. Soft whimpers wrack her body, and a stream of silent tears fall from her little round cheeks. She's nervous and I'm at war with myself now to keep my restraint. Swiping at a stray tear with my thumb, I can’t help the urge to taste her. The salty taste goes directly to my groin. I’m engulfed in her sweet scent. My heart races. Don't touch her . . . don't touch her . . . Her trembling hands match my own. I place her open palm on my thigh. She grips it tightly, and it's almost my undoing. Almost . . .

Every fiber of my being is screaming for me to stop. I know it's wrong, but the need takes over. Blinded with want, I move her hand over the hard ridge of my pants. She sucks in a breath, and I close my eyes. It takes two small thrusts of my hips before I'm undone. My hand falls away, and she's up and gone before I've opened them.

What have I done? The adrenaline of both ecstasy and fear run through my body. I quickly gather my things, and as I’m putting the last of my books into my satchel, the front door opens.

"All done?" her mother asks cheerily.

"Yup. I'll just let myself out. See you next week."

“Solis, you have a visitor.” The loud slam of the bars wakes me from sleep. I glare at him angrily for pulling me away from the only moments I have left with my sweet girl.

I place my wallet, my watch, and my keys in the plastic bowl before stepping through the metal detector. The green light flashes the okay, and I wait in line to be ushered in. The guard to my left passes a wand over my body while the other pats me down. It’s my first time here and most definitely my last.