What They Never Said

by Avery, Quinn

  Lincoln inhaled and stretched his neck. Memories of the events that followed after prom creeped into his conscience with details too vivid to swallow.

  “You shouldn’t have hit him,” Cameron said as he drove away from the school. “You could be expelled for fighting on school property.”

  “What happened between you and my brother?” he demanded, glancing between her and the road. It was dark and rainy, so it was hard to say if she was crying or if it was just a reflection from the wet windshield. But her expression was stiff, proving she was upset. She’d been through a lot since her dad died and Rebecca became an addict, making her tougher than most kids their age. Sometimes it made her thoughts impossible to read. “I need to know what happened, Cameron.”

  She turned to look out the side window. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Everyone has their limits, and he knew Cameron well enough to recognize when she had reached hers. So he didn’t push the subject. Instead, he pulled into a convenience store parking lot down the road.

  “What are we doing here?” she asked, sitting taller.

  “We’re getting your favorite ice cream. Then we’re going to the hotel to watch movies—whatever you want.”

  Her expression became hopeful. “What about the party?”

  “Screw ‘em. I just wanna spend the night hanging with my girl.”

  With an excited little squeal, she leaned over the seat to kiss him. It was a soft, gentle kiss with just enough reluctance that he should’ve known something was off. But at the time he was more worried how he was going to deal with his family.

  “You’re the best boyfriend ever,” she told him, beaming.

  “Goddammit,” he growled, eyes flashing open. He shoved himself off the wall and took another drag. It hurt too much to look at her. “My brother assaulted you, and an hour later you told me that I was a great boyfriend. Do you have any idea how messed up that is?”

  She touched his shoulder. “It wasn’t your fault. There’s nothing you could’ve done.”

  “The hell there wasn’t!” Flicking the cigarette to the curb, he paced the sidewalk. If he held her the way he wanted, he was certain he’d never be able to let go. “You have to turn him in. You have to press charges.”

  “No. We both know he can afford to hire attorneys that would get him off with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. He’s a prideful asshole, Linc. I’d rather get him where it hurts. I won’t back out of my agreement to marry him until I’ve had a chance to grab the money.”

  He stopped pacing and stared at her, one hand held up. “Hold on. You’re saying he’s the one who wants to get married?”

  What in the hell was that about? Control? A stroke to Kellen’s ego to make someone his wife that he had once assaulted? Kellen was every bit as psychotic as Lincoln had always believed.

  Cameron nodded with a roll of her eyes. “It’s his way of getting your dad’s attention. We all know how much your old man detested me. I guess he thinks it’ll piss him off enough that he’ll make Kellen CEO of Luxco if he promises to break the engagement off.”

  The final piece of the warped puzzle fell into place with a deafening click. Cameron was wrong. Kellen didn’t ask her to marry him as a way to upset their father.

  He was blackmailing the old son-of-a-bitch.

  12

  Lincoln didn’t have much to say as they checked into the hotel. He’d taken the news of what his brother had done better than Cameron hoped. His anger dissipated considerably after their talk outside the diner—almost too much. Enough that it scared her. Until he suggested they find a place downtown, she was starting to fear that maybe he was planning to camp outside their apartment, and wait to slit Kellen’s throat.

  After leaving the diner, she’d called in sick to work. He’d called his commanding officer to ask for an extension, saying he had to attend to “an emergency of the upmost importance.” She wasn’t entirely convinced it wasn’t code for the fact that he’s preparing to murder someone. Still, she was secretly pleased when he was granted another 48 hours. She hoped it would be enough time for them to get on the same page.

  Walking into the suite, she bit down on her lips while getting an eyeful of the elegant layout. A glass dining room table suited for a large dinner party took up the first room. Gold-plated archways led to a large sitting area filled with white couches right outside the bedroom. The king bed sat on a platform, surrounded by large pillars, situated to give a spectacular view of the piers. She dreaded the idea of leaving Lincoln there alone. And as much as he would hate the idea of her returning to his brother, she had to keep up with appearances so Kellen wouldn’t catch on that she was involved in something more meaningful than a fling.

  Lincoln stood with his broad back to her, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Shoulders taut, head held high, he was so severe looking, making it easy to imagine him as a predator in the face of an enemy. Chills rippled through her when his deep voice cut through the silence. “Wanna know the thing I hate most about being a SEAL?”

  Assuming it was another one of his rhetorical questions, she braced herself for his answer.

  “Knowing I can’t always be there when you need me. I won’t always be around to protect you. I’ve watched SEAL wives go through some serious shit-storms. Raising kids alone for months, spending each day their husbands are deployed in a hellish country wondering if they’re alive or dead…the SEAL way of life isn’t for everyone. I won’t lie to you, Quinn. If you choose to be with me, I can’t promise you an easy future.”

  “If you’re trying to scare me off, it won’t work,” she said, starting for him. Wrapping her arms around his stomach from behind, she rested her head against his firm back. “I've never loved anyone the way I love you, Linc. And if being with you means I’m signing up for a shit-storm, I guess I’ll just have to buy a big umbrella. I’m in this for the long haul…or for as long as you’ll have me.”

  He pivoted around to face her. “I know you don’t scare easy. You’re brave enough to survive whatever hell comes your way. Between everything you went through with your parents and my brother, you’ve been through more than most people have to endure in a lifetime.”

  Sensing there was more to his line of thought, she tilted her head. “But…?”

  “If you stay with Kellen any longer, every day I’m away from you I’ll be the one sick with worry, wondering if he’s knocking you around, or if he’s onto your plan. I can’t afford to make mistakes when I’m on a mission. My team counts on me to have a clear head.”

  “Are you giving me an ultimatum?” Her eyes narrowed. “Because it won’t be long before this is over, and I can finally leave him behind.”

  “Then what? Once both you and the money have disappeared, he’ll know it was you, Quinn. You think he’s going to simply let us live in peace? What about your mom? If you disappear, he would go after her to make you return.”

  There were times she’d feared Kellen would go after Rebecca, but hearing Lincoln say the same thing out loud crippled her with worry. “We don’t have to run from him. We can hide the money somewhere that can't be traced back to either one of us. This isn’t about getting rich. I just want to take something important away from him the way he took something from me.”

  His expression softened. “No one wants him to pay more than I do, baby. But what you’re planning could end badly in so many ways. You could end up in prison for the rest of your life, or even dead. You can’t expect me to live with either of those options.”

  “Nothing bad will happen. I’m ten times smarter than he ever was, and he’s not going to get the authorities involved when it’s money he embezzled. I can do this, Linc. You have to have faith in me. I need you to believe that I can do this.”

  “I have more faith in you than I could ever find in myself.” Running the pad of his thumb over her lips, he gave her a sad little smile that didn’t extend to his wary eyes. “It’s one of the reasons I once thought you were better of
f without me.”

  “That will never be true, Linc.”

  His jaw hardened. “You may not have a choice. I’m expected to leave in a few weeks. Then I’ll be gone for six months. But that could change at any moment. Depends on where we’re needed.”

  Her heart plummeted. She could understand how it would be tolling for the wives, knowing their husbands were out on some of the most dangerous missions in the world. It was unfair he had to leave so soon when he had only just returned to her.

  “Six months is a long time,” she agreed, looking down at his worn sandals.

  “That’s why we’re getting that money before I leave.” His fingers tilted her chin upward. “And then I’m going to make you my wife.”

  Emotion stung her eyes. “You want to marry me?”

  “Hell yeah.” With a wide grin, he laced their fingers together. “You think I was going to let you slip through my fingers a second time?”

  A happy little snorting noise bubbled out of her. The severe, beautiful man she thought she’d lost for good wanted to be hers forever. “Is it possible to be engaged to two guys at once?”

  His grin flattened. “Your engagement to Kellen is a sham. This is the only one that counts.” He lowered to one knee, reaching for her hand. “Cameron Elizabeth Quinn, please say you’ll agree to be mine until we’re both six feet under. I can’t face another day without knowing you’ll be my bride.”

  Another happy sound gushed from her throat. Seeing him down on his knee was adorable and charming, but the fierceness in his expression took her breath away. She hated the situation they were forced into, and the fact that she’d have to hide her relationship with him until she was done with Kellen, but there was no way she’d pass up the opportunity to marry the love of her life.

  She took his bearded face in her hands. “Hell yeah.”

  With a shout of victory, he sprang back to his feet and lifted her into the air. Their lips met for a celebratory kiss filled with joy and relief. However things ended between her and Kellen, they’d at least have each other.

  * * *

  Returning to Kellen a few hours later was more difficult than she’d planned. Her time with Lincoln would be limited until they could get their hands on Kellen’s money. She wanted to stay in Lincoln’s arms all night while making wedding plans, and shopping online for apartments in San Diego. The fact that they’d made the life-altering decision after a whirlwind reunion was mind-boggling. Her heart skipped to an erratic beat knowing they’d be spending the rest of their lives together like they’d wanted. Picturing Lincoln in a suit, waiting for her at the end of an aisle, was a dream come true.

  She was going to become Mrs. Lincoln Farrington. After enduring the heartache of losing him, thinking he’d never return to her, it seemed too perfect to be a reality.

  As she reached for the apartment door, she was suddenly reminded of something Rebecca once said while high as a kite, shortly after her dad’s death.

  “He didn’t want to stick around long enough to walk you down the aisle on your wedding day.”

  Frozen in place, Cameron stopped cleaning the fridge to frown Rebecca’s way. She was sitting on the ratty old sofa, staring absentmindedly out the apartment window. Cameron grit her teeth, wondering why she ever tried reasoning with her mom when she was that way, except she hated it whenever she spoke ill of Cameron’s dad.

  It wasn’t anything new for Rebecca to babble about random things when she was stoned, but Cameron had just returned from an afternoon with Lincoln. The timing of Rebecca’s comment caught her off guard. She hadn’t mentioned Lincoln because it was the only good thing in her life, and she didn’t want her mom to ruin it the way she ruined everything else. The statement seemed unusually cruel and filled with malice. Where was it coming from?

  “It’s not his fault he died. It has nothing to do with what he wanted. He wasn’t asking to be attacked in the park.”

  “You’re wrong,” Rebecca muttered. “He was a coward.”

  Pushing her way into the apartment, she startled when Kellen appeared from the darkest shadows of the living room. He was dressed in a blazer and khakis, and held a garment bag over one arm. She didn’t hold her breath waiting for his apology for hitting her. She knew one wouldn’t be coming.

  “You’re just in time. I bought you something to wear for dinner with my parents. We’re leaving in half an hour.”

  Her cheeks burned hot as he handed the bag over. After an all-afternoon celebration with Lincoln, how the hell would she switch gears, and pretend to be with Kellen? She despised the fact she’d be reunited with Lincoln’s parents as his brother’s fiancée.

  She snatched the bag, scowling. “Your parents are going to love the shiner you gave me.”

  Kellen shrugged. “I’m telling them you got in a fight with your mom. It’s a more believable story considering her history.”

  Every cell in her body urged her to punch him back. “A half hour’s hardly enough time to get ready,” she bit out through clenched teeth.

  “If you had read the texts I sent, you could’ve planned your time more wisely.” He spun on his heels, headed for the wet bar.

  He stomach dropped. She’d been on such a blissful high when leaving the hotel that she only grabbed her keys. She forgot her wristlet with her phone inside. Lincoln would become unglued once he was unable to reach her yet again.

  She sulked back to the bedroom and set the garment bag on the bed, unzipping it to find a slinky little red dress with more sequins than material.

  Dinner was going to be a complete nightmare.

  * * *

  As the waiter led them back to their table in the elegant French restaurant, Cameron caught several lingering looks from men, and disgusted glares from women. She couldn’t blame them since she legitimately looked like a hooker. Unless Kellen wanted everyone to think he paid for his date, he missed the mark with the little number that barely covered any skin. She decided to roll with it, giving herself dramatic eyes and pairing it with her highest heels. The way Kellen’s parents regarded them with incredulous stares, she nearly burst out laughing.

  It was typical of Elaine and Howard Farrington. They’d always been a pretentious, snobbish pair. When Lincoln brought her around in high school as his girlfriend, they made their distaste for her clear. She refused to return to his house unless they were out of town.

  Aside from having a tighter forehead, Elaine hadn’t changed much. White-blond hair pulled back into a tight bun, strand of pearls around her neck, expensive designer dress, she was just as Cameron remembered. Howard, on the other hand, appeared more like his adult sons. Dark hair, broad jaw, dark brown eyes, it was like getting a peek of the man Cameron loved, several decades into the future.

  They rose from the white linen table at the same time. Elaine’s hand hovered over her mouth.

  “Cameron Quinn?” she gasped. She lowered her hand, lips tight as her eyes danced all over Cameron’s slinky dress and bruised eye. “When Kellen said he was bringing a date, you’re the last person I expected to see.”

  “I wanted it to be a surprise,” Kellen told Elaine, bending to kiss her cheek.

  Cameron regarded the old woman with a stiff smile. “Mrs. Farrington. It’s been awhile.” Cameron glanced at their father. “Mr. Farrington.”

  Howard’s eyes narrowed on Cameron as she sat beside Kellen. Making the old bastard uncomfortable was an unexpected thrill. She’d always abhor the man because of how he had treated Lincoln.

  “If this is a joke, I’m not amused,” Howard growled.

  Kellen snatched Cameron’s hand, and lifted her engagement ring. “I assure you, this is no joke.” A prideful grin spread over his lips. “Mom, dad, Cameron and I are getting married.”

  Elaine squelched and Howard’s fist slammed down on the table. Lips curled and eyes dangerously dark, the elderly Farrington glowered at Kellen. “I need a word with you outside, son.”

  “Sure thing, pops.” Kellen turned in his seat
and made a production of kissing Cameron. Fighting off a gag, she was all too tempted to bite his tongue clean off.

  The two men left. Elaine looked fixedly at Cameron with impossibly wide eyes, jaw slack. Cameron snatched the bottle of wine from an ice bucket beside their table and poured herself a full glass, finishing the contents in one gulp. It was going to take more than one glass to prepare her for the evening.

  Elaine broke out of her trance with the sound of a ringing cell phone. As she dug inside her purse, Cameron took a pull directly from the bottle. It tasted like high quality stuff. With any luck it was also potent and would take the sting off the next several hours.

  Elaine brought her phone up to her ear. “Hello?” Her face blanched as she listened. “What? Where are you?” She stood suddenly, jarring everything on the table. “You’re where?”

  “Standing right in front of you, mother.”

  13

  His mother’s phone slipped from her hands, clattering on the table. Both women gawked at him in disbelief.

  Guilt for not giving Cameron a heads up hadn’t sat well with him. But once he saw the text from Kellen come across her phone, saying they were meeting his parents at 8 pm, he knew he had to help Cameron shoulder the hell his family would put her through. He'd grabbed a new suit jacket and dress shirt from a department store down the street, and threw them on over his t-shirt and shorts. He forgot how ridiculous the sandals he wore must’ve looked once he caught an eyeful of the little red dress sticking to each of Cameron’s mouth-watering curves.

  “Lincoln!” his mother cried, racing around the table. She threw herself into his arms. “Oh, my sweet boy! I’ve missed you so!”

  He stood lifeless in her embrace. The feeling wasn’t mutual.

  She drew back, smiling. “You’ve changed! You’ve become so…grave!”