Everyone just sits in silence as I drive further away from the reality of the scene that just played out before my eyes. Nothing but the sound of heavy breathing coming from Gemma and me and the sound of my heart racing and thumping; loud enough that it’s echoing throughout my ears and feels like it’s coming from the car. I don’t know where I’m headed or where I should go, but going back to my apartment doesn’t sound so appealing. There could be someone waiting there for us - for me.
After driving for a while, I take an exit on the outskirts of the city and pull into an old, closed down dog food factory. My mind has had time to absorb what just happened. We were followed, hit, and shot at. I avoided multiple car and pedestrian accidents. Wes kicked out my back window. Wes pulled out a gun and clearly knew how to use it and use it well. Wes shot whoever was driving. The sedan crashed and no one came out. And my biggest fear of all, Wes killed whoever it was. I feel completely conflicted over the possibility that Wes may very well have shot and killed whoever was after us. On one hand, he had a gun, knew how to use it and could have killed him or her. On the other hand, he probably saved us. I just have to pick which one seems worse.
Right now, enough is enough. I have never wanted to get out of my car as much as I do now. I feel like I can’t breathe. With all these thoughts running around in my head, I feel trapped. So I put car in park and get out and begin to walk away.
“Hey, where are you going?” Gemma asks as I move further away from the car. I don’t respond. My tongue is tied at the moment and honestly, even if my tongued wasn’t tied, I wouldn’t want to talk. Right now, I want to run away and never come back. I want to change everything about me. I want to change my name, hair, and whole identity. I want to live in the middle of nowhere and not exist to anyone but myself.
Finland sounds nice.
I don’t look back, but I hear the car door open and shut and the sound of light shoes smacking against the pavement. Gemma comes running up behind me and grabs my arm. “Marlie,” she says softly.
I wretch my arm from her grasp. “Not now, Gem. Okay?” I say and keep walking away from the car.
From Wes.
She follows me. “We need to figure out what the hell just happened. This can’t be like the other times when you just brush it off, Marlie. We were just chased and shot at!”
I stop, turn around, and look at her. “You think, Gemma? You think I don’t know that? What do you want me to do, huh? There is no way I am going back in that direction!” I look and gesture over towards the car and there’s Wes, standing there, leaning against the car looking right at me. It’s dark out now and I can barely make out anything beyond what’s right in front of me. But there is a light post right next to the car and it makes Wes’ eyes even greener then they are. That’s all I see, his eyes. Boring right into mine. They usually make me melt but right now they make me angry. Maybe my anger isn’t really towards him. But I am pissed and scared out of my mind and he’s my target.
“You!” I yell as I march towards him.
“Me,” he says calmly.
“What the hell was that back there? You shot at that person! Like you’re some sort of god damn assassin! I’m pretty sure security guard school doesn’t teach you that!” I am now practically spitting in his face because I am so close.
He leans in even closer and uses his intimidating dark tone, “Me? You’re asking me what’s up? You’re the one who went all fast and furious on me back there. I’m pretty sure they don’t teach you that in driver’s education.”
Before I know it, my palm is connecting to his cheek for the second time in twenty-four hours.
His face whips to the left and then back at me like my slap didn’t even faze him. “You feel better?” He asks me. I want to yell yes in his face, but my palm is stinging like a bitch right now and I’d rather wait on smacking him again until I regain feeling in my hand.
“You really have to stop smacking me. It’s starting to fucking hurt.”
“Arggghhh!!!” I scream out in frustration.
I scrub my face with my hands trying to clear out some of my anger. I bring them back down to my sides, with my eyes closed. I take a couple deep breaths to try and calm myself. When I feel like my anger is somewhat tamed, I open my eyes and try to talk calmly and rationally. “So, is that what you’ve been hiding from me? The fact that you’re a trained shooter?”
Wes brings up his arms and places his hands on my shoulders. I flinch and shrug them off. I don’t want him to touch me right now. I don’t want anyone to touch me right now. I don’t know what the hell that was back there with Wes shooting at our chaser, but I want nothing to do with him until I know what the hell he has to say about how he handled that mess. Because right now, I feel he is no different from Carter, his uncle and everyone else at that warehouse that works for them. If I am being completely honest, he is no different from the person I was becoming when I was with Carter.
“Something like that. Look, there is more to it, if you just let me explain, you would-”
“No,” I interrupt. “You… you’re just like them. All of them. How could I have been so st-stupid?” I say, stuttering because I am trying to fight back tears of another betrayal.
I back away only to bump into Gemma. I spin around to face her. “Let’s go.”
“Marlie, wait.” Wes pleads.
“Why? Why would I ever do that? I don’t want anything to do with you, Wes.”
I start to walk around from the back of the car to the driver’s door. Wes can get a ride I’m sure. But then he grabs my arm and spins me around. “Listen to me. I am not the bad guy. Just give me the chance to explain and if you don’t like what I have to say, then fine, rid me from your life. But I’m telling you, you’re going to want my help from whoever is after you and Gemma.”
“They’re not after Gemma, they’re after me and I don’t care what you have to say. Nothing you say will change my mind, Wes.”
“Yes, they are after her.”
“How the hell would you know?” I ask, not completely sure I want the answer, but if someone, or they, are after her, I need to protect her and one of my biggest fears has come true.
When Carter was sentenced, Gemma I both attended. I needed to testify and Gemma came with me for support. When the jury found him guilty and they started to take him away, he had yelled through the courts, threatening mine and Gemma’s lives. At first, I was scared, watching my back everywhere I went. After a while, I guess I had forgotten about it. But now, especially after what had just happened, I believe it.
“Not here. I can’t tell you here. Come with me to my home. I can guarantee you’ll both be safe there.”
“You’re funny. There is no way in hell I am going anywhere with you.”
It’s Wes’ turn now scrub his face in frustration. “Damn it, Marlie. You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met.”
“And I’ll take that as a compliment.” I seethe.
Gemma tugs on my arm gently and speaks softly to me. “Marlie, maybe we should hear him out. He probably saved our lives back there.”
I walk away from both of them to give myself a minute to think. As much as I don’t want to admit it, Gemma is right. He probably did save us but that doesn’t mean I should hear what he has to say.
My heart is hurting too much right now and I regret the day I let him in it. I’ve kept my heart guarded for this very reason. I began to let go and trust, all for it to be thrown in my face in such a short amount of time.
I hate the fact that the only two men who I have ever felt anything for have hurt me. Though, I have a thought lingering in my head about how the hurt from Wes is not even close to comparing to the hurt from Carter. I spent years with Carter and only a few short months with Wes. Who knows what kind of damage Wes could cause if I somehow found this understanding. I have not spent the last two years trying to fix myself, some irreparable, to let it all happen again. But as I stand here trying to reason with myself, my stomach turns at
the thought of never seeing him again. I feel so damn conflicted. What the hell am I to do?
Images and memories of both Carter and Wes flash through my mind as I try to decide whether or not to hear Wes out - to listen to this kind of madness. The only thing I can come up with that’s even close to my considering going with Wes and hearing him out, is the fact that even on Carter’s good days, he never treated me or made me feel the way I do for Wes and I loved Carter with my entire being. I did things to please him, to please his uncle. Things I will never be able to forget or forgive myself for.
I don’t love Wes, but before tonight I think I could have gotten there sooner rather than later and it scared me, but I welcomed it. Carter isn’t Wes. At least I don’t think he is. Carter is a psychopath. Wes, well, I am not sure and the only way to know is to listen. I know Wes won’t force me and that’s the only reason I am considering this. And if someone really is after Gemma, then he’s right. I’m going to need help.
I turn and walk back towards Gemma and Wes, who are both speaking in hushed tones. “Alright, I will come with you and listen to what you have to say, but under two conditions.”
Wes seems to perk up when I say I will come with him. “Oh yeah? And what are those?”
“If and when I am ready to leave, you don’t try to convince me otherwise.”
“Deal,” he agrees, “and the other?”
I reach my hand out to him, palm facing up, “You let me hold on to your gun until you’ve told me, everything.”
He stands there for a moment considering my second condition. I don’t think he’s going to do it, but he reaches behind his back, pulls out the gun, flicks the safety on and places it into my palm. “Fine, but that one is my favorite, don’t lose it.”
I freeze when he insinuates he has more than one. Wonderful. At least I have one gun to protect myself with. I may be going with him, but I’m not letting my guard down.
TWENTY
WES DIRECTS ME SOUTHWEST FROM THE city until we’re in the outskirts of Idaho Springs. After a while, he leads me through the mountains up a narrow road that looks abandoned, filled with rocks and holes that are hard to see, making me worry about my low profile tires and the under carriage of my car. I fear that I am one unseen jagged rock away from blowing my tires but Wes assures me that we’ll be hitting smooth pavement soon.
Sure enough, he’s right. After only a few miles of driving up the beaten path, the road turns smooth and paved. We spend the next mile or so traveling through the mountain and I only wish it was daylight so I can appreciate the drive a bit more.
Before I know it, the smooth, paved road becomes lit up with small lantern-like lights, placed along the side of the nature made rock walls, leading us to a large iron gate. Wes presses in a code into the keypad and the gate slowly begins to part. The first thing I see is a large, round fountain with an elephant spouting a heavy stream of water through its trunk, placed right in the center of the circle drive. It’s magnificent.
“Impressive,” I murmur to myself.
As I draw my eyes from the sight of the beautifully crafted water fountain I see his house and catch my breath. His home is colossal and absolutely exquisite. It’s a cabin style, two story, with vast river stone pillars lining his front porch, which wraps around the entire house. Off to the left appears to be small, manmade pond. To the right, a large garden full of the most beautiful wild flowers perfectly placed, but yet still looks naturally grown. I am in complete awe of his home.
I pull up to the front and we all get out. We walk up the steps and are immediately greeted by an older gentleman wearing a suit.
“Good evening, Wesley.”
“Hey Jenner, these are my friends Marlie and Gemma.” Wes introduces us and it kind of stings a little when he refers me as his friend. But at the same time, I don’t even want to be considered as an acquaintance of his right now. So why does it make me feel awful when he called me his friend?
“Ah, the famous, Marlie. I have been hearing so much about you these last couple of months. I’m Jenner, pleased to meet you.” He extends his hand and I shake it. He takes his other hand and places it over ours and gives me a warm smile. I return his warmth and I like him instantly.
He then shakes Gemma’s and turns to Wes. Wes rolls his eyes at Jenner, “Nice, Jenner.” He mumbles to him, giving me the idea he didn’t like the fact that Jenner had practically said he has mentioned me since we’ve met.
“Ladies, this is Jenner. He is my right hand man here and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” He turns to his attention back to Jenner, “Will you go into my office and grab that important information and bring it to me?”
Jenner nods his head and moves from the doorway letting us walk through. If I was awed by the outside appearance of Wes’ home, then I’m speechless when it comes to the inside. I never thought simplicity would render me speechless, but it has. The outside of his house is cabin country, but the inside is vintage glamour. Everything looks antique and perfectly placed, but not over the top.
I walk in and appear to be in a large entry way, with a massive rug covering most of the hard wood floor. To my left is set of chairs and small tables. One with an impressive stained glass oil lamp on it. The walls are covered with the most amazing art work I have ever seen. I look up and almost gasp seeing an extremely large, vintage crystal chandelier. I remove my eyes from that site and look to my right- stairs with a spectacular hand carved railing.
I don’t move much farther passed the doorway, I just stand here, letting my eyes absorb the beauty of his home. Whoever designed and built this place is a genius.
“Wow,” Gemma says having the same reaction as I.
“What do you think?” Wes asks me.
“It’s beautiful.”
He smiles and points towards the left where there is another room. A siting room from what it looks like. “Have a seat and I’ll get right to it.”
We both start to walk into the room when we hear the loud throaty exhaust of a car pull into the drive. I stop and turn around. Before I entered into the life of Carter and the racing scene, I was never really a car enthusiast. But now, I can’t just keep going about my business when I hear or see a car that would make such a noise.
I move to peek out the window next to the front door, but am surprised when the door whips open, making me jump.
Wes’ cousin Jesse comes walking in like he owns the place looking around until his eyes land on Wes himself.
“So glad you could finally join us, Jesse. It only took you two hours after I had called you.”
“Hey! I was kind of in the middle of something. Besides, looks like you all came out of it unscathed,” Jesse defends.
“Yeah, we did no thanks to you,” Wes grits out.
Jesse claps his hands together and looks around at all of us. “So are we all caught up then? Or have I just arrived in time for big reveal?”
Wes pinches the bridge of his nose. “No, Jesse. We were just getting to that.”
Jesse’s eyes narrow and instantly become dark. I swear his eyes dilate. It’s the same kind of look I’ve seen Wes give. “Perfect,” he comments.
That’s the moment Jenner chooses to come back with whatever Wes had asked for. A larger manila envelope. He thanks Jenner and we all walk into the other room.
Yet another impressive room in his home. Chairs and couches are not sparse in here. All leather and luxurious. There’s a large stone fire place lit on the far wall and warms up my suddenly cold body immediately.
Everyone takes a seat on one of the many couches and chairs in the room. Well, besides Gemma. “Um… I need to use your bathroom first,” she says.
“I’ll show you,” Jesse speaks up.
Gemma rolls her eyes at him. “No thank you. I’d rather piss myself than have you lead me anywhere.”
Jesse laughs at her, “Oh come on. I won’t bite.” He holds up two fingers, “Scouts honor.”
“Fine, whatever. But if you touch
me, I will scream.”
That’s makes Jesse smile even wider. “And I’ll enjoy it. I love a screamer.”
Gemma flips him the bird and starts to walk out. Jesse follows her, leaving Wes and me alone.
“So… what’s that in your hand?” I ask about the manila envelope trying to get straight to it. I may be impressed with his home but that doesn’t mean I want to be here.
“Don’t you want to wait until they come back?”
I scoff at his question, “Please, I know Gemma. She may act like your cousin is the lowest in the world, but that’s how she is when she’s attracted to a man. Insults them, then bones them. I don’t think they’ll be coming back anytime soon.”
He chuckles to that, then becomes serious. He pulls something out of the envelope and tosses it onto my lap. I flip it over and see that it’s a picture of Gemma shot from a distance right in front of our building. “Where did you get this?”
He eyes me like he isn’t sure he should tell me.
“Just say it already. You know the deal. You tell me everything or I walk out.” I look away and close my eyes. “Unless that’s what you want.” As confused and conflicted as I am right now, it would hurt me if he didn’t tell me and let me walk away. From the truth and from him.
He comes down to my level on his knees and reaches for my hands, but I pull back. I want to know everything before I make a decision when it comes to him and me.
He brings his hands down to rest on his thighs and stays where he is. He looks up at me with his green eyes and he looks sad. “Of course I don’t want you to walk away. But what I am about to tell you, you can’t ever tell anyone else. I am trusting you and Gemma not to utter a word. And believe me when I tell you, trust is something I don’t give out freely.”
“So why me?” I ask, curious as to why he has chased me, and pursued me. Something I have been asking myself for a while now.
He smirks to himself. “That’s simple. When I first met you, you caught my eye instantly. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. Then when you spoke to me that day, you came off so tough in a no bullshit kind of way and I liked you instantly. I couldn’t get you out of my head. Once I really got to know you, I fell for your humor and smarts. You’re also kind and driven. Most importantly, there is one thing I knew right away that had me drawn to you.”
Underground Secrets (The Underground #1) Page 20