Bile rose in her throat again. A small squeak slipped through her lips. The word murderer rang in her ears. The possibility of being the daughter of someone who had no problem killing was making her sick, especially after her incident a few weeks ago. She thought of her constant guilt and wondered how someone could ever do that as a malicious act. And the man could be her father? Panic constricted her airwaves. She let out a series of deep breaths to try and remain calm. It barely worked.
"It broke my heart to take you to the Beckmans, but I wanted you to be safe. Mom hasn't been the same since. I cried. I held you in my arms in a quiet place for an hour before I actually had to go take you." Jesse's eyes met hers again. The same terror she felt showed in his face.
"So what happened to the rest of you?" Becca gripped the edge of the table. "How did Hunter's parents just take me with no questions asked about the rest of you?" She repeated herself, but words failed her at the moment.
"I think your parents knew getting you away from there was the best idea. They'd heard the news in those past few months. I bundled you up and took you to Mr. Beckman, saying I knew his wife and that she told me he'd know what to do. Mom left him a note as well, which I tucked in your bag. To this day, I have no idea what it said, but it must have worked, because they went with the plan to get you away without calling the cops. It surprised me, especially since Mr. Beckman was a lawyer. I don't know what they did or didn't know, but they took care of you. That's what mattered to me."
Another interruption stalled the story when their food arrived. Becca didn't think she could eat, but she needed to at least try. It had been hours, she was cold, and something warm would do her good. Becca thought answers would never come. She wondered for months why her brother would give her away to keep her safe. Nothing good came to mind and she knew it, but this she hadn't expected. Her father was a murderer? An ex-cop? And he hurt his family? He left her mother for dead, carrying an unborn child!
She couldn't take it. Becca needed a break to regroup. The bathroom. She could go there, take a breather, and come back. "Excuse me for a second." She bolted before Hunter or Jesse could say another word.
*****
Hunter stared at Becca's retreating form and debated on going after her, even though he knew she was heading for the restroom. No, let her have a small break. This was hard for him to hear, so he couldn't imagine how Becca felt. She'd been calm, but she always pulled the strong fort. On the inside, Hunter knew it was a different story.
Instead, he faced Jesse. "Why all the secrecy? Why pretend to go to meetings on a serious subject?"
"That was a coincidence. I do suffer from PTSD, Hunter. I wouldn't screw around with something like that. You try going through what I did. All I wanted was to find out why someone would take my sister on a plane to try to do whatever it was. A Google alert on the name Beckman led me to the story about your plane and that Carrie woman. I saw a picture of Becca and had to find out for sure. The resemblance to Mom refueled my need to find my sister and understand what happened to her last summer. There are people following you around, and I thought it had to do with my father. He has connections everywhere. He still taunts us, even from prison, like he doesn't want us to forget he has the power still. I thought I'd keep my distance from showing myself to Becca until I figured it out. I didn't expect to see you at a PTSD meeting. Last summer, Mom started asking about the baby. She suffers a prolonged grief disorder."
"I'm going to admit something. I followed you one night. You rode your bike about a mile or so, then got in your truck. Why?"
"I thought someone was following me that night. Damn it! I did that to cover my tracks. I didn't want anything traced to me. I would have kept hidden if you and I didn't meet that night. Then I realized I had a small way in to learn about my sister. I'm sorry. I gave you every reason in the world not to trust me, and considering I know what you've been dealing with, it was the wrong way to handle things. I didn't know what else to do."
"You know we're not taking your word for it. Are you willing to do some sort of DNA test or something for verified proof that you are Becca's brother?" The words rolled off his tongue and sounded so foreign. Strange. Unreal. Becca's brother. The family they'd been looking for had been right in front of their noses the entire time. "Becca and I have had a lot of lies and deceit in the last twenty years. We want proof." Hunter leveled him with a hard stare.
"I understand. I'm willing." Jesse's gaze landed on him. "So ... when you went on the plane twenty years ago ... was that because I contacted your dad and wanted to see Becca?"
Unsure how much to divulge, Hunter hesitated. He clasped his hands together and stared in the direction of the bathroom, wondering how Becca was and if he should at least go knock on the door. "I think it was only a small part. There was another issue to be dealt with. Thing is, I don't remember a lot about it. Only bits and pieces," he finally admitted. Though he'd been vague even with being true, Hunter saw the relief on Jesse's face.
"I would have stayed away, had I known. Before this past summer, it was the only time I ever tried to find her. I thought, with Dad being in prison, maybe it was safe to at least figure out where Becca ended up."
"We'd do a lot of things differently had we known things. You took a chance. Guess I can't blame you." Hunter didn't trust him, but he understood the idea of a young child taking on far more than they ever should have.
"Her real name was Ariana. Ariana Rosalie Laughlin. Who are the Langes? How did they end up with my sister?"
Hunter tried to process the name. He'd always known her as Rebecca Lange, aka Becca. Ariana didn't suit her. He picked up the photos by Becca's plate and thumbed through them, peering carefully. She sure did look like the woman Jesse claimed was her mother. Come to think of it, she looked a lot like Jesse, too. "My mom was friends with Anne Lange in high school. They lost a baby the same time you brought Becca to us." He left it at that.
Jesse turned pale. "Dear God. You're telling me-"
"Yes. I replaced a dead child." Becca returned, her voice cold and edgy. "What a plan, huh? No one would ever know. In fact, if Sylvia, or as you've heard her name- Carrie, had never come out in the open, I'd never have known any of this. I've spent months going back and forth with feelings. I've spent years grieving for a family who loved me, but I wasn't theirs. I spent the hardest parts of my life living with grandparents who never wanted me, and I always thought it was because of my injuries." Becca picked up her napkin, tore it in half, then tossed it on the table. "I want to believe you're my brother, but there's been too many things thrown at me. I'm not going to get my hopes up until I know for sure. Not that I want to have another horrible history that I get to learn about, but at least the truth might finally be given to me."
"It's fair." Jesse glanced at Becca. "I'm not asking for anything. I'm not even asking for trust right now. I get it. I've learned only bits and pieces about your life and what you went through, at least after the crash. I'm glad we got you out of there before that night. I don't know what would have happened to you."
"What did happen?" Hunter asked.
"Mom had everything packed. We were getting ready to leave, and she said she had plans for each of us. Don't know what they were, because as we grabbed our bags, the thugs arrived. You ever look in the eyes of a cold blooded killer? Scariest shit. Sometimes you see a soul through a person's eyes. These guys- no soul. They had no problem hurting a child. I can't get the look out of my head to this day. I told the other kids to run as far as possible and tried to protect Mom. Our sister didn't get far before they shot at her and hit her in the knee. Just as they were about to do it to me and Mom, Dad came in and retaliated. I don't remember a lot of it after that."
Tears streamed down Becca's face. "This is horrible." She shoved her plate away.
Hunter agreed. Whether Jesse was actually related to Becca or not, this whole story was one hell of a traumatizing event. Had Becca not been with his parents that night, what would her fate have been?
No. Don't go there. He did not need to play the what if game.
"I'm sorry, Jesse," he managed to say.
"Wh-where is everyone now?" Becca stammered.
"Dad is in prison, serving a lifetime. He was up for parole a few years after serving, but he got denied. He's been pissed at Mom and I since, because we had to attend and state that he was not fit to be released. I'll never forget it. He yelled at us that he should have let the men kill us. He's been trying to make our lives hell since. Mom ... she's in a home in Maryland. She isn't well, but is hanging on."
"So what you said at our last meeting was true," Hunter stated.
"Yeah. She did have a stroke, which gave me more reason to want to find my family again." Sadness flashed on his face. "Our brother is the only one who's done well for himself. He talks to me every once in a while, usually when Dad tries to get one of his sleazy side kicks to mess with us. It's like he taunts- they'll cause trouble. Little things like messages we'd only understand. They'd follow us with a warning. One of them actually came after me once and broke my leg, but never any death threats. Maybe he gets a kick from this little game. I don't know. It's like a reminder that he's still around and, if he wanted to, he could finish what was started. I don't know how those slip by past the prison wards, but they somehow do, which is why I didn't want him to find out Becca lived. I don't know what he'd do."
"You said another sister," Becca prodded.
Jesse nodded. "I haven't seen her in years. Ever since she became of age and got out of the system, she ran off."
"If ... if it turns out I really am related, can I- will it be possible to meet your mom?"
"She'd love that. It would ease her mind to know you're okay and doing well. There are days I sit with her and she cries out your name and rocks a pillow as if she's still holding you. I don't know how much she'll understand, but we'll make it happen. Her grief over losing you and the rest of our family has worn away at her soul and body."
For the moment, the past was let go of and they ate their food, making small talk until the diner had to close down for the night. No one really ate much. Becca pushed her food around and took a few bites. Hunter ended up asking for take home boxes.
Becca, Hunter, and Jesse stood outside, hesitant to leave, but it was late, cold and they needed to.
"Can I hug you?" Jesse stood before Becca, glancing at the both of them. "After almost twenty nine years, I can't believe I'm standing in front of you again."
"I never thought I'd learn the truth and meet anyone in my family," Becca whispered. She stepped forward. What an emotional scene. Hunter was ninety percent sure this guy was being honest. The pictures showed so much resemblance, and as much as he distrusted people, especially Jesse's questionable actions, he had a feeling a family, Becca's family, was meant to reunite and started by doing so right now.
"I'll give you Mom's letter and bring some photos and other few things I have. I'm so sorry for not coming to you sooner, especially when I did know you were looking. I just wanted you to be safe." Jesse and Becca both broke down in tears.
Chapter Twenty
Becca made it home at the same time Hunter did. Both were still in shock. Once inside the house, he gathered her in his arms, and they clung to each other in silence. So many unreal revelations had hit them lately. Horrid secrets by the people around them. "Do you think he's for real?" she asked, still holding on tight. The steady beat of his heart filled her ear as she rested against him.
"Actually, I do. I still don't trust him, and as crazy as his story is, I think it might be real. I'll call Jed in the morning and find out how we can get some sort of DNA test done. We'll speed up the results, if possible. Whatever it takes to get the answers as soon as we can." Hunter kissed her forehead. "How are you taking this, I mean honestly? Don't hold a thing back, okay?"
"I'm not ready to believe. I want to, but I can't take any more hits if this is all a lie. I'm sick at the thought of what his father - possibly my father - was like. He makes my grandparents and Vince seem like perfect people. It's horrible that the other two siblings wouldn't even remember me. It isn't over yet though, is it? Not with these - Oh my God, that reminds me! I hate to change the subject on something so big, but I got another text." Becca broke away from his hold to find her phone. "As I was going to the stairs. I wasn't going to go in the elevator because it bothered me the first time around, but I got a message and tripped." She handed it to Hunter.
He swore under his breath. "That's creepy, especially when you ended up in the elevator with Jesse right after."
"I know." Becca set her phone down. Her body was shaken, sore, and tired from today's events. "You know how you suggested I talk to someone right after Maryland? I think I'm going to. This is going to sound weird, but I feel way too calm, considering everything happening. Not that I am calm, but ... I don't know. I don't think I'm explaining this right."
"I think I get it," Hunter said softly. "Either way, I'm glad to hear you're going to talk to someone. A lot has been thrown at us at once, and to move forward, it has to be dealt with. I've learned that."
Becca nodded and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you." A tear slid down her cheek.
"For?" Hunter's hand moved along her spine in a gentle, loving gesture.
"Being my best friend. A lifetime of truths are coming in the open, and the only thing I'm certain of is you." She fought them hard, but the tears fell anyway.
"Let's go upstairs, okay? I'm wired and might not be able to sleep, but I want to hold you. We can talk, we can whatever ... let's just be together." Hunter kissed her tenderly.
Becca smoothed his hair back. "I'm scared," she said in a small voice.
"Of?" Concern laced his voice. He took her hand and led the way upstairs. Once in their room, Hunter sat on the edge of the bed with her.
"My past. The present. Who I am. Curt Everett Laughlin and what he did." Even though the house had plenty of heat, she shivered again.
Hunter cupped her face. "Hey, I said this before and I'll continue to say it. Whatever we find out won't change anything. Hell, I didn't expect this story, but you're still the heart of my heart. You always will be. I love you, angel." He pressed a soft, yet needy kiss on her lips.
Becca jumped up. "Take a hot shower with me? I feel like I need to wash up." She almost told him she needed to wash off the dirty feeling she felt about her history, but that sounded stupid. It did in her head, even though she couldn't quit thinking about it.
Hunter winked. "I won't turn down a hot shower with my girl." Then he turned serious. "You were about to say you wanted to wash off how you feel, weren't you?"
Becca looked away, but she pretty much gave her answer by doing so. Hunter knew her well, and she should know not to hide from him. "It sounds so stupid."
"No, it sounds like you processing, trying to understand."
Becca followed him to the bathroom, both dropping their clothes in a trail on the floor along the way. Hunter turned on the water. Becca glanced at herself in the mirror and tried to recognize the person staring back at her. Okay, now she really was being dumb. The face and body belonged to her, but she questioned everything. Who she was, who she'd been, and who she could be.
Yeah, somehow she had to learn to deal with this, and on her own wasn't the answer.
"Bec?"
She tore her gaze away from the stranger in the mirror and faced Hunter. He stood in the shower stall with his inquisitive, gorgeous eyes on her. Crease lines of worry formed around them.
With shaky legs, she entered the shower, where Hunter tugged her hand to bring her flesh up against his naked body. "I don't like the way I'm feeling," she choked out.
"I can imagine. Let it out, sweetheart. I'm right here," he soothed, rocking her her in his arms slightly. Droplets of hot water splattered against her skin.
"I want-" She hiccuped as sobs erupted. She couldn't gather her thoughts. Her mind spun in a frazzled tizzy.
"You want?" Hunter pulled back, slidi
ng a hand up her bare belly all the way up to her face. Intense eyes traveled along.
"R-right now I want to love you," Becca whispered, kissing his chest. Forget the chaos, forget the madness. Becca wanted to enjoy an intimate moment with Hunter. He groaned as she continued to leave tiny, soft kisses all along his wet skin.
"Bec-" he uttered, then kissed her neck. His hands moved all over the place before he placed them on each side of her stomach, slowly moving her toward the back wall of the shower. Her skin met up with the tile, and she flinched slightly at the cold. Hunter readjusted the shower head in order for more water to hit them. Steam rose from the heat. Then he reached for the green loofah, poured a little bit of soap on it, and raised it to Becca's skin. With him being right in front of the water stream, she only had a light mist of water hit her. Before he scrubbed her chest, Hunter moved in for a hot kiss. His tongue meshed with hers before he eased away gently. He lathered the soap all over her belly, then rose to her breasts, teasing, touching, and making her want him. Bending lower, Hunter moved the loofah along her legs, making sure to hit every sweet spot he could. Need pooled in her gut and spread lower. Becca let out a moan as he continued. Then he stood, placed a hand on her shoulder and told her to turn around. She complied.
He slid close behind her, his erection pressed up against her. Hunter kissed the back of her neck, brushing wet locks of hair away. Becca pressed her hands flat against the wall and anticipated Hunter's next move.
"You're gorgeous, Becca. Inside and out. I'll never forget how incredibly lucky I am to have you in my world," he whispered against her ear before nibbling on her earlobe as he continued to scrub the loofah in circles all down her back. Moments later, the water sprayed directly on her, washing away all the soap. "Turn again." He leaned over against her ear, mumbling seductively.
A Forever Masterpiece (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 3) Page 19