He bit his lip and glanced at me as he filled up his glass with water.
Yup, ex-boyfriend.
Instead, he placed the water in front of me on the granite counter. “Drink up. It’ll help.”
“Nice evasion tactic,” I said, before taking a sip.
He filled up a glass for himself and leaned against the counter. How hard of a question was this?
“Since I got your email,” he replied, his eyes focusing on me. “I’ve been in contact with the detective.”
I felt a slight turn in my universe as his gaze stayed on me. No. The room wasn’t spinning. Okay, maybe it was a little bit. This bump to the head must be bad. As his gaze continued to stay fixed on me, I knew it had nothing to do with the injury.
“Yeah?” I asked, shifting on the stool.
He nodded. “I know you’re running from something. I can help.”
I shook my head. “You can’t help. And you’re still not answering my question.”
“I’m Mia’s brother.”
My stomach did a somersault at this revelation. He wasn’t an ex-boyfriend.
“Oh noooeees, and you saw?” I laughed.
He smiled and shook his head. “No. Thank God. I would’ve jumped out the window, ended it right then. I saw a little evidence and someone I never expected to see in the room with her. That was too much for me.”
“Things get juicy in the outside world,” I muttered, smiling to myself.
“Excuse me?” Luke asked.
“Nothing. So do you mind telling me how out of all the people in the world, I managed to move in with your sister?”
“I was wondering the same thing,” Luke replied.
I studied his features, thinking about how it possibly was that no matter how I tried to separate myself from him, he reappeared time and again. “I’m sorry about attacking you. Although, it wasn’t much of one, apparently.” I massaged my shoulders.
His smile deepened. “So, you thought Mia was in danger? And came at me?”
I nodded. “I figured with the security system and all, maybe some crazy ex was after her or something.”
“And you’d put your life on the line for hers?” His brow arched.
Debating what to say and what not to say, I heard the music from above turn off and looked at my empty glass. Whatever it was, I needed to hurry and get it out. After all, he was familiar with part of the story. I’d already managed to make him a target just by having him buy me a cup of coffee.
“Initially, I was worried it was the same person who was or is after me,” I offered. “And the thought of an innocent person getting hurt because of me.” I shuddered. “But then I realized whoever came in here was guided by their heart. The people after me have no heart.” I steadied my gaze on Luke. He didn’t flinch at my words. “So I knew I needed to help her.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “But apparently not.”
“Huh.” He ran his thumb along the slight stubble on his jawline. His green eyes were piercing as he watched me, debating what to say.
“So why don’t you give me your spiel? I’d love to hear why you came barging into her home in such a frenzy. Leaving your car running and the front door open?” I eyed him, watching his jaw tense. “Seems a little extreme for an innocent brotherly worry if there was no sign she was in danger.”
He let out a sigh and dragged his fingers through his hair. His gaze fell away from mine as his mouth formed into a small ‘o’ before he began to speak. It was hard not to admire the curvature of his mouth, and it was even more difficult to understand where these feelings kept coming from. I’d never before had thoughts like these, not until him.
“I’m waiting.” I smiled. He brought his eyes to mine, and I felt that charge run between us.
“I was worried about,” he stopped himself and glanced at his sister and the man behind her in the hallway.
It was Sean.
Ooh. This didn’t look good.
“What the hell, man?” Luke said, his fist balling.
Sean smirked and his eyes fell to me. “Hi there, Hannah.”
I looked from Sean to Luke and then to Mia, feeling like everything in my life had become highly orchestrated, which made me absolutely sick. As I looked at everyone standing around me, I wanted to run. Had Luke somehow planted Liv to get me to work at Buttons and then this renting a room thing magically fell into place? Anger began pulsing through me as the thought continued to expand. I had been controlled and manipulated long enough by a system I didn’t believe in. I didn’t need to have that happen again. I had no idea what was going on, but I no longer wanted to be in the dark. I needed explanations.
“So you had Liv follow me?” I stated more than questioned, completely unable to hide my anger.
“What?” Luke asked bewildered.
I couldn’t read if it was genuine or not.
“You were the missing partner. The partner who never shows up to the club? It figures.” I shook my head, feeling completely betrayed.
“It’s not like that,” Luke said. “I know what it seems like.”
“This just seems a little too handy. I mean it would follow along with just about everything else you’ve done. The coffee, the coffee again and again, the cab that wasn’t a cab, along with the truck showing up at my old place?” Just repeating it aloud made me livid. “You probably just had Liv show up to—,” I stopped myself. “And how did you even know I was at that Starbucks? It wasn’t even in my neighborhood.”
Luke shook his head, the expression on his face bordering between horror and hurt. “Hannah, I promise that I never ever sent Liv to follow you. I can guarantee you that I would never have wanted you working at Buttons.”
“Enough with bashing Buttons,” Sean interjected, running a hand along Mia’s shoulders as she watched what was unfolding between her brother and me.
“You know I hate that place,” Luke replied, flipping Sean an icy stare. “I’ll deal with you in a second.”
“Why would you hate something that you own?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“He owed me a favor,” Sean replied before Luke could say anything. “I helped get his security firm up and running when he couldn’t afford to hire employees. I worked for free. Once it got going, he helped me get my dream going and he’s made me feel like shit about it ever since.”
“Unlikely story. What guy wouldn’t want to be surrounded by beautiful women?” I asked, turning my attention to Luke.
“It’s not about that. I don’t like what it stands for. I wouldn’t want anyone I care about working there. Or dating someone who thinks it’s okay to run a place like that.” He stared at Mia.
“But I didn’t think anything was shady about the place,” I stated sarcastically.
“Listen, honey…” Sean began.
“Don’t call her honey,” Luke cut him off. “That right there is why I wouldn’t want anyone I care about working there. There is nothing shady about the place. At least that I’m aware of, or I’d pull my percentage. But the place objectifies women and that’s not something I condone.”
“Right because you’re so above it,” Sean shot back, rolling his eyes. “I wonder if Jessica would agree about your virtuous ways.”
Wait. Who was Jessica? My stomach twisted into knots.
“There’s no reason to bring her into this,” Luke replied.
“Well, if you’re going to talk about objectifying women…” Sean replied. “I don’t know of many who like to be strung along.”
“She wasn’t strung along,” Luke said through clenched teeth. “We were both adults choosing—”
“Exactly,” Sean almost shouted. “Adults choosing to participate. Just like Buttons. I don’t force the waitresses to flirt. I don’t force them to work for me. I don’t force them to do anything. They are choosing to be servers at Buttons, just as the members are choosing to pay for the promise of nothing.”
“It’s not a promise of nothing,” Luke replied. He glanced at me.
&nb
sp; “So you didn’t send Liv to recruit me?” I asked.
“God no.”
“Listen, it’s been fun. But I’m out.” Sean gave Mia a quick kiss and I thought Luke was about to pounce on him. Instead Sean showed himself out, and Mia came over to me and took a seat.
“So I’m completely confused. As far as I knew, you worked at Buttons and Emily knew I was looking for a roommate and voila. And now you’ve got ice on your head. But how the hell does my brother play into this and what on earth are you doing here this late at night?” She asked bemused, turning her attention to Luke.
“Yes, please do tell what brought you here?” I smiled, hoping to finally get some answers.
Luke
With all my careful planning and nonstop worrying about how to proceed with Hannah, this was how it all came to fruition. Hannah sitting with an icepack on her neck, my sister wondering why the hell I broke into her home in the middle of the night and, finally, finding out my sister was seeing my best friend. Priceless.
I watched Mia and Hannah as they sat next to each other, seemingly unfazed by tonight’s events, patiently waiting for my answers. Answers I’d full intentions of giving them but not this way. I had planned on taking them both aside and explaining events differently to each, catering to their reactions. Now that wasn’t going to happen. It was going to be one story that would anger one and enlighten the other, or baffle one while making the other run for the hills. Either way it had to be done.
“Let’s say I put on a pot of coffee,” I replied, turning toward the machine.
“Grounds are in the top cupboard,” Mia said, turning to smile at Hannah. “So what the hell happened at Buttons to make you need an icepack? You didn’t get on the swing, did you?”
Leave it to Mia.
Hannah’s laugh floated through the air, and I immediately wanted to shove this sordid mess aside, give her a reason to keep laughing, keep glowing. As I poured the water into the coffeemaker, I watched her cheeks redden at my sister’s question. There was such an air of innocence to Hannah that I loved, but at the same time seeing where she came from, why she had that innocence, saddened me beyond belief.
“No, I had a tumble with your brother,” Hannah said, her eyes flicking to mine.
“A tumble with my brother?”
“Yeah. Your new roommate tried to attack your poor, unsuspecting brother,” I laughed, closing the top of the coffee maker.
“I doubt that,” Mia said. “You’re never unsuspecting, and you certainly aren’t poor.”
“No. It’s true. I attacked him,” Hannah said, flashing me a smile.
Shit. She was gorgeous. She didn’t have a clue what that smile did to me. It was the unraveling of me, why we were in this situation in the first place.
“Well, I don’t blame you. If he was sneaking around here, I would’ve too,” Mia laughed.
“See? The landlord says I’m off the hook.” Hannah moved the icepack.
“So the icepack?” Mia prompted.
“Should I start at the beginning of the debacle?” Hannah looked at me.
“Might as well.” I threw my hands in the air in surrender.
“I was on the beach, unwinding and wondering if I’d really be able to last at Buttons. Want to tell me your story?”
I grabbed three mugs and began filling them with coffee. “Your story first. Then mine.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that,” Hannah laughed, as I placed the mug of pseudo adrenaline in front of her.
“Anyway, I was on the beach and a car pulled up in front of the house and a crazy guy jumped out without even turning off the car. The next thing I know, he was running into the house and I got worried. I thought someone was after…” Hannah paused. “Well, at first I thought they were after me and then I got terrified that they were after you. Either way, I went in ready to mess someone up. I couldn’t just stand around and do nothing.”
“You put yourself in danger for me?” my sister asked.
“Well, I certainly wouldn’t just sit there and watch. Anyway, by the time I got to the top floor I saw some guy backing out of your studio. He was acting suspicious. What topped it off was I heard a…”
Mia laughed. “Gotcha. Bad to worse.”
“Tell me about it,” Hannah muttered. “That’s when I tried my superhero moves and failed miserably. Your brother had me on the ground and pinned beneath him within a second.”
Mia eyed her brother and took a sip of coffee. “You were in the studio?” her voice was almost hoarse.
“I guess it’s my turn,” I replied. Coffee didn’t seem like enough. “Have any Bailey’s?”
“I’ve got some Kahlua in the fridge,” my sister laughed. “Must be a good story.”
I opened the fridge and found the bottle. I quickly poured some into my mug and then poured a little more for good measure.
“First, I’m asking that both of you give me a chance. I was coming from a good place.” I took a drink and motioned toward the family room. “Mind if we go in there?”
They both nodded and slid off the stools. My sister had decorated the family room in very neutral colors and even though I’d begged her not to, she had several of my photographs displayed along the far wall. I grabbed the fireplace remote and flipped it on. I needed all the help I could get. Hannah took a seat in the overstuffed chair, and she tucked her legs underneath her. Her blond hair was slightly messy and beyond sexy. This was the problem. I was too attracted to her, unable to deal with her the way I would a typical client. Shit. She didn’t even know she was a client. That was another problem.
I took a seat on the couch next to my sister. “I’m not going to start with tonight’s events. Doing that would only make things sound worse than they are.”
“Sounds like a great introduction,” Mia said. Her brow curved as she looked at me with disapproving eyes, slowly cluing into who I’d been so worked up over these last several days. It had all been about Hannah. “Especially since you think the story will lead to how or why you were in my studio in the middle of the night when I was with Sean.”
I ignored her.
“I ran into Hannah at a Starbucks. She had a bit of trouble with her purchase. I stepped in to help and since then my world hasn’t been the same.”
My sister’s jaw dropped open, and I wanted to beg her to please tone it down a tad or it wasn’t going to be an easy confession. Instead, I forged ahead.
“Something told me there was more to Hannah’s story than she was willing to let on. Between plates from out of state, and the way she constantly looked over her shoulder, I had a bad feeling. I had my driver take her home. Got her address, looked some things up.”
“What do you mean you looked some things up?” Hannah asked, her voice trembling slightly.
This wasn’t going well, and I’d only gotten a couple sentences out. I needed a new approach.
“I was curious about why a girl would travel clear across the country to move into a home that left so much to be desired, so I investigated. You intrigued me, Hannah.” I shrugged. “I’m not going to apologize for being interested in you.”
My sister’s gaze caught mine, as she gave me a warning look.
“I didn’t expect to find out what I did, which in all honesty wasn’t much. When I heard someone had attempted to hurt you, all bets were off. I was back in New England on a business trip when everything happened, when I received your email.” I watched Hannah stiffen as my words tumbled out. “I went to your old address. I saw where you came from.”
Hannah shook her head, her hands moving slowly to her mouth. “You’ve put yourself in danger. You don’t understand these people.”
“I was worried about you. My job is protecting people. I wanted to protect you. I wanted to help.”
“I’m completely lost,” Mia replied, glancing at Hannah. “I thought you were from Ohio.”
Hannah shook her head slowly.
“She’s a member of the NLC.”
“I
was a member,” Hannah corrected.
“What’s the NLC?” Mia questioned.
“It’s registered as a non-profit in New Hampshire. They’ve done a pretty decent job of keeping out of the news. The address I went to was a compound of sorts,” I continued. “But in all honesty, I’m hoping that Hannah will learn to trust me enough to tell me what it was I was actually seeing. What it is she’s running from.”
I looked over at Hannah. Her eyes were vacant. She’d gone to a place far away. She was going to leave. I could tell. I only had one shot at this, and I was already screwing it up.
“The short of it is, I figured out Hannah was your new roommate, and I learned she was working at Buttons. I couldn’t believe it, and I’d fully intended to talk Sean out of letting her work there. But then I thought about her situation and as much as I hated it, at least this job would keep her out of any public spaces, for the most part.”
“And why don’t you let Hannah know how you pieced this all together,” Mia said, pressing her lips together.
I looked at Hannah who was watching me, her eyes still void of any emotion.
“I used my resources.”
“Which means?” Mia pressed.
“I put a security detail on Hannah and had some of my guys investigate…”
“I’ve heard enough,” Hannah said slowly, standing up. She didn’t look angry, more hurt than anything. Maybe hopeless. Whatever the expression was, it killed me inside. “I’ve caused enough turmoil in your lives. I’ll be out by the next payday. I don’t want to cause any trouble for either of you. Luke, thanks for trying. But it’s bigger than that.”
It was like she’d stabbed me in the chest. I watched her walk out of the room, and it took Mia grabbing my hand to not follow after her.
Hannah
I’d been manipulated, controlled, and watched long enough in my life. The thought that I’d fled one situation only to somehow land in another one had me worried, had me questioning what it was about me that attracted this type of situation, or person, to my life.
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