Feeling restless, I get up and walk around the food court. By the time I make it back to the bench where I was sitting, I see the bank teller that helped Belle but no Belle. I push open the door. “Excuse me. Is Be—” I stop, wondering if she used her real name for whatever she came here to do. “The blonde that was just in here, did she leave?”
“Yes, a few minutes ago.”
“Thank you.” I walk back out and start searching for her. As I lap around the food court for the second time, I slowly start to panic. Where in the world could she have gone?
I wish I could call her, but I never asked her for her number. Instead, I continue pacing around, looking like a man who’s lost his child.
When a half an hour has elapsed, I pull out my phone and call Gavin.
“Yo, what’s up?” he questions.
“I lost Belle,” I reply.
“You what?” His carefree tone vanishes.
“You heard me. I lost her, man,” I repeat, practically shouting.
“Did she take off?” I groan. “No, I don’t think so. Fuck! She was here one minute then gone the next.”
“That doesn’t tell me shit, dude,” Gavin roars in my ear about the same time I hear her voice behind me.
“I’m right here. You can tell Gavin I’m safe and sound.” I turn around as her annoyed voice washes over me. After a quick glance, I’d say she’s mad, and judging by the way she’s suspiciously looking at me, I think mad might be an understatement.
“Never mind. She’s back,” I tell Gavin as relief courses through me.
“If you can’t handle following her around a mall without losing her, maybe you should bring her back to the house.” Before I have the chance to say anything to either of them, Belle starts walking to the main entrance, lugging a large bag with her.
“Fuck off. We’ll be home soon and if that changes I’ll text you,” I disconnect the call and start running after Belle.
“Where the hell did you go?” I question when I catch up with her. My hand naturally reaches out for her bag. I almost drop it, not expecting it to be as heavy as it is. “Holy shit. What’s in here?”
“Don’t worry. It’s just a computer. I don’t like to walk around the mall with dead bodies.”
In the phone store, her comment felt like a joke, but this time, there’s no laughter in her voice.
“What the hell has gotten into you?” I question as she stops walking and turns back to me.
“I didn’t know you were required to report my every move to your buddy. I thought ...” she trails off. She seems sad rather than mad. “I’m sorry, okay. I’m sorry that Kate’s life has collided with Damian’s. I’m sorry that you and your friends are starting over and my baggage showed up at your door. I’m sorry that you had to waste your day babysitting me.” Watching her fight back her emotions is almost painful.
“If you want the God’s honest truth, I’d rather be anywhere in the world other than living with Damian’s real daughter.” A tear forms but she quickly brushes it away.
“I didn’t mean—”
“Would you please just take me back to Kate’s now?” Without looking at me, she starts walking toward my car.
Shit, even when I’m not trying to be an asshole, I still manage to piss her off.
After I unlock my car, Belle climbs in while I place her bags in the trunk, then I slide into the driver’s seat. Instead of starting the car, I look over at her. “You said you’d be in the bank. My ass got tired of sitting on that hard bench so I got up to walk around. When I came back, you were gone. The lady who was helping you told me that you left. I...I freaked. I thought something happened to you ...” I pause and sigh in frustration. “Gavin didn’t ask me to tag along with you but he was happy that I did because, like it or not, you’re important to Kate. If something happens to you...it would devastate her.”
Belle inhales loudly but looks away. “I didn’t come because we didn’t trust you,” I add, hoping she believes me. “I wanted to keep you safe, and when you disappeared I thought something horrible happened and I flipped out.” When she doesn’t look at me, I turn the key and start the car.
The drive home seems to take forever and neither of us says a word. When I finally pull into the driveway, Belle places her hand on my arm. “I’m twenty-one years old and other than traveling, I’ve never gone anywhere by myself before. When you told me you came with me because you wanted to, the idea excited me. Then I heard you on the phone and my mind snapped back to every time I’ve stepped foot outside.”
This is the first time she has touched me, and I’m lost as to why, but her touch is equally soothing and arousing. I look down at her hand as she speaks again.
“I have no idea how long I’ll be in Denver, but I doubt I’ll get the chance to behave like a normal person again.” She clears her throat. “I’m sorry. I acted like a bitch and I shouldn’t have.” She pulls her hand back, and I instantly feel the loss of her touch.
Belle opens the door and gets out, leaving me to do the same. I pop the trunk, pull her bags out, and follow her to her room, where I place everything on her bed.
“Thanks,” she softly says, leaving me standing here drinking her in. My eyes wander down to her lips as the urge to kiss her starts to consume me. I take a step closer, wanting more. I pause as I look into her deep brown eyes, ready to beg her—for what, I’m not exactly sure—when I hear Kate’s warning in the back of my mind.
I clear my throat, forcing myself to snap back to reality. “You’re welcome,” is all I say before I turn and get the hell out of her room before I do something both of us will regret.
Kiran
I’m staring at my computer screen at work, but I have no idea what I’m looking at. Thoughts of Belle have clouded my mind and definitely my judgment. No other woman has ever held my attention like this before. Then again, I’ve never spent any real amount of time with a woman I’m attracted to. Sex is just sex and thoughts of a relationship have always sent my nerves into overdrive, but with Belle, everything feels different.
“Hey, dude, can you run home and check on Callie?” I turn away from my desk and look up at Gavin, who appears nervous.
“Sure. What’s going on?”
“Kate forgot about an appointment she has with her school counselor. She left Callie alone with Belle.”
Gavin’s shoulders tense as he rolls his neck from side to side. We’re in the process of getting Hill Software up and running, which has been stressful, but I don’t think that’s the problem. “You don’t trust Belle with Callie?”
“I trust Belle not to hurt Callie. What I don’t trust is that lowlife man she calls a father and the men who are more than likely after her.” Gavin sighs. “I’d run home, but I have two interviews in the next hour.”
“I’ll go home and check on them.”
Gavin exhales a long breath. “Thanks, man. I’ll be done after these interviews so don’t worry about coming back.”
I log off my computer and make the drive back to Gavin’s within twenty minutes.
I walk through the front door and toss my keys in the bowl, only to find the house quiet. I make my way through the downstairs but I come up empty. I take the steps two at a time as panic starts to set in. Belle’s room is also empty. I rush down the hall toward Callie’s room, but I stop when I hear the sweetest giggle.
“Belle, I think I got the brush stuck.”
I hear Belle laugh. “Okay, let me try.” I walk to Callie’s door and glance inside her room. Belle is sitting in the middle of the bed, decked out in as much dress up accessories as Callie could find. “Wow, you do have that stuck.” Belle is tugging on a brush in her hair.
“I’m sorry.” Callie’s defeated voice causes Belle to turn toward her.
“You want to hear a funny story?” Callie slowly nods. “When I was eight, I fell asleep with bubble gum in my mouth. When I woke up, it was stuck in my hair. I thought if I cut it out my daddy would never know.” Belle chuckles. �
�Boy, was I wrong.”
“How did he find out?”
“I ended up cutting a chunk of hair right by my ear. I looked kind of funny for a while.” Callie giggles again. “This hairbrush is nothing compared to that.”
“Did you get in trouble?”
Belle smiles. “No. My daddy could get mad, but he rarely got mad at me.” Belle tugs a little harder on the brush. “See, it’s out.” Callie jumps up and down, clapping when she spots me. “Uncle Kiran.”
Belle’s face turns red. “I see you’ve been officially inducted into Callie’s circle. She’s known for her salon days.” I chuckle.
“You’re next.”
I shake my head. “Not today, princess. I think I’ll watch the two of you.”
Belle laughs. “No, I think you should allow Callie to work her magic on you.”
“Please, Uncle Kiran.” I sigh in defeat. I’ve never been good at resisting Callie, especially when she begs.
“Okay.” I sit down on the bed next to Belle and smile.
“Belle, you need to take some of that off, we need to share with Uncle Kiran.” A smirk forms on Belle’s face.
“Oh. I’ll be right back,” Callie hollers.
“You’re home early.” Belle says.
I shrug. “There wasn’t anything left for me to do, so I came home.”
Belle arches a brow. “Really? It has nothing to do with me being here alone with Callie?”
For someone who’s spent a fair amount of time held up in her room, she’s in tune with the people around her. “Like I said, I was done with work.”
Belle cocks her head to the side and watches me closely. Her powerful gaze is about to render me helpless when I hear Callie’s voice. “I found my make-up.” My eyes flash.
“Oh yes, I think Uncle Kiran would look great with some make-up.” Belle winks at me. She fucking winks...She knows why I’m home and this is her evil way of getting back at me. Her brown eyes are sparkling. Her blonde hair is clipped and twisted in odd ways, and she’s wearing an unbelievable amount of costume jewels. The crazy thing is...I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman look sexier.
****
Belle
The other day when I left the bank, a thought hit me. If I had a computer, I could work on my college courses until Damian comes for me. At least this way, I don’t have to drop out, and in the meantime, it gives me something to do.
I spent hours setting the computer up, but once it was ready to go, I had to wait until my courses were uploaded. Today, when I logged in, I had my first assignment.
Hours later, Kate knocked on my door and told me dinner was ready, but I was moving full steam ahead in my classes. I have no idea what the future holds, and more than likely I won’t be here the whole semester, so I need to take advantage of the time I have.
When I finally finished every assignment I could, it was almost ten o’clock and I had officially spent the entire day in my room. I dig out my new swimsuit and head downstairs. Several lights are on, but I don’t see anyone so I head for the pool. I pull my hair back in a knot before I walk to the deep end and dive in. The water instantly calms me as my arms and legs take over. I swim from one end to the other repeatedly until my arms and legs start to weaken.
On my last lap, I swim to the shallow end and walk out of the pool only to find Kiran once again watching me. “You’re good at that,” I joke.
His eyes narrow. “Good at what?”
“Sneaking up on people.” I chuckle.
“I didn’t sneak out here. I walked out here and sat down like I would any other time. You were so into your swim that a bomb could have gone off and you probably wouldn’t have noticed,” he counters with a smirk, which causes me to laugh.
“You’re probably right. I used to swim every day. I miss it,” I add before I take a seat next to him, but we don’t look at each other. Instead, we’re staring out at the beautiful night sky.
“Did you have a problem getting your make-up washed off?” I choke on a laugh.
“You’re evil, you know that?” he jokes.
“I’d say I’m sorry, but I don’t want to lie.”
“I’m sorry...about the other day...at the mall.” My eyes snap to his from the sudden change of topic.
“I really didn’t go with you to report your every move to Gavin. Everyone in this house trusts you.” I’m struggling to keep my face neutral. The longer I’m around Kiran, the more I find him irresistible, and I’m positive I’m doing a lousy job of hiding my feelings.
“I’m sorry, too. I’m on edge right now. Regardless of your motives, I shouldn’t have snapped at you.” I force my eyes back to the night sky. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kiran turn his chair toward me but he doesn’t say anything. After a few long moments, I glance over to find his blue eyes staring at me.
“What?”
“Outside of the trip to the mall and when you watched Callie, you’ve been up in that damn room of yours. It bothers Kate, and truthfully, it bothers me, too. I can’t stand the idea of you skipping a meal, especially if I’ve done anything to cause that.” His face pales.
“I didn’t skip dinner tonight because of you ...” I pause, almost embarrassed to tell him what I was doing all night. “I’m earning a degree online. I used the computer I purchased the other day to work on my class assignments. I did as much as I could.” I clear my throat. “I have no idea how long I’ll be here. I worked as far ahead of schedule as my instructors would allow.”
Kiran’s face lights up. “You’re going to school? That’s...great.”
I shrug off his comment. “It’s not going to do me a lot of good.”
“Why do you say that? If I could do things over, I would have gone to college. Instead, I earned a living off fighting or betting on fights until Gavin wised up and started his own company and gave me a job.” Kiran pauses and runs his hands through his hair. “Without Gavin, I can only imagine how shitty my life would be.”
I chew on my lip for a moment before deciding to tell him something I probably shouldn’t. “I’m earning my degree using a fake ID.” Kiran looks over at me with confusion before he narrows his eyes.
“Damian keeps me on a very tight leash. He was worried even taking an online course would open the door to someone who could hurt me.”
“Then how ...” he trails off.
“A boy I grew up with helped me.” I smile thinking about Manuel. “He’s the only one brave enough to go against Damian’s wishes,” I add.
Kiran nods with understanding. “This boy...he’s your boyfriend?” he asks, causing me to burst out laughing.
“Oh God, no. Manuel is like my brother. Plus, he’s with a different girl almost daily.” I shake my head in disgust. As much as I would like to get naked and do filthy things with a man, I don’t see how Manuel can go from one woman to the next. I glance at Kiran as his shoulders slump before he drops his eyes to the ground. I think my comment hit a little too close to home for him, too.
“Manuel loves me and there’s a good chance he’ll one day take over Damian’s business, but we’re nothing more than family.” Kiran’s eyes shoot back to mine as he slowly nods his head. Flutters make their way down to my stomach at the idea that Kiran might be jealous.
When that salesman gave me his number, he acted annoyed—even a little put out—but maybe he was jealous then, too.
Kiran caught my eye from the second I saw him, and if he hadn’t acted like a jerk, I would have tried to explore the idea of something with him. After all, we live together, and I’m only here for a short time. I dismissed the idea days ago, but now, judging by the way he’s looking at me, I would say it’s possible he’d like to explore the same thing.
“I was wondering ...” I pause, watching him closely.
“Yes?” he questions.
I push my nerves down. If I want to experience life free from my father’s watchful eye, then it’s now or never. “Do you want to go out with me?” I quickly say before I a
llow myself to chicken out.
Kiran looks down at his watch. “It’s pretty late. Where did you plan on going?” I smile, fighting the urge to laugh.
“No. I mean...do you want to go on a date with me?” I add with more confidence than I’m actually feeling. When an understanding washes over Kiran, his face drops. He sighs and runs his hands through his hair before looking me in the eyes. He holds my stare for several long moments.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he quietly says, causing my stomach to turn. This is the first time I’ve put myself on the line, and I was shot down, which hurts more than I was expecting.
“Oh. Okay,” I say as I stand up and make my way to the door as Kiran speaks up. “It’s just...You’re Kate’s family, and starting next month, your brother is going to be my roommate and ...” He pauses again and swallows loudly. “I think it would be better if we didn’t.” He puts his hands in his pockets as he rocks back on his heels, doing everything he can to avoid eye contact.
I square my shoulders and muster up a smile. “It’s okay. Really.” Kiran’s eyes suddenly look sad. “I think I’m going to head to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I add as I force myself to continue smiling.
“Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow,” he repeats. I’m ready to experience life with what little time I have left, and if that’s not going to happen with Kiran, then I think I know just the person to call.
****
The next day I spent most of my time out by the pool. Callie and Kate both left for their first day of school and both Gavin and Kiran went to work. Gavin’s grand opening for his software company is set to take place soon, causing them extra work. Kate told me my biological brother, Alex Johnson, has plans to move out here to work for Gavin. I guess that’s what Kiran meant when he said he’s going to live with my brother.
Locked Away (Living With Lies Book 2) Page 6