Goodbye Secrets

by Jacquelyn Ayres

  “Becca!” a little blonde-haired girl screams and runs up to her.

  “Annie!” Becca sounds very excited and stretches her arms wide for a hug. Oh shit ... this must be Ray’s kid. Oh yes ... there he is! Like somebody went and poured sprinkles on my ice cream sundae! I hate sprinkles ...

  “Raymond! What a pleasant surprise!” My exaggerated and enthusiastic greeting with matching smile is my special way of telling Ray to go fuck himself.

  “And I was just thinking to myself, I don’t think this day could get any better!” Ray smiles back. And so our pissing contest continues.

  “Daddy, Morgan’s coming home today!” Annie breaks our testosterone-heated glares.

  “That’s right! I forgot to tell you!” Ray slaps himself upside the head. Boy, would I love to do that. Except I’d be a tad bit harsher.

  “Becca says I can stay overnight! Can I, Daddy, can I?” She jumps up and down.

  “Uh ... um, what day were you thinking?” He finally looks at Becca, and I can see the love for her pour over him like a blanket.

  “How about Friday?” Becca’s gaze shifts up from Annie.

  “Sounds good to me, Becs.”

  I know he wanted to say baby after that. I’d grab Becca’s hand or put my arm around her to stake my claim, but I have fifty million bags in my hands.

  “Okay. Why don’t I pick her up from school?”

  “I can drop her off. Besides, she’ll need her clothes,” he adds. Becca looks at me. For what? For approval? I shrug.

  “Okay.” She smiles. Annie dances all around.

  “How’s Stacey?” Ray asks just as we’re about to leave.

  “She’s doing well, Ray,” I answer for Becca. “She’ll be home with us in a few days. Too bad you haven’t had the chance to visit her since she’s come out of the coma.” And, of course, add in a hint of my suspicion.

  “Well, some of us can’t take months off at a time.” He sneers at me.

  “Oh, Mr. McNeil, I’m always working.”

  He ignores me and looks at Becca again.

  “Any word on George?”

  “Ray ... he’s dead.” She says the last word quietly.

  “What? When?”

  I’m taken aback. He actually seems genuinely shocked. Humph.

  “A week ago.” She slides her hands down Annie’s hair and covers her ears. “Somebody murdered him,” she whispers.

  “What? Why didn’t you tell me? Why all the security then?”

  Becca looks to me, unsure of how to answer.

  “Well, Mr. McNeil, this act raises a lot of questions, and therefore we are not lowering our guard until we have all of the answers.” I think that should suffice, and from the look on Ray’s face, it does.

  “Well, Ray, it’s time for us to go get Morgan. Annie, sweetie, I can’t wait until Friday.” Becca hugs her again.

  “Keep me posted, Becs.” He mouths baby to her. He did that to piss me off. Obviously, I don’t give him the satisfaction.

  “Bye, guys!” Becca half smiles and turns.

  “At some point, you two really need to quit this pissing contest.” Becca helps me pile our bags into the trunk.

  “But it’s so much fun, sweetheart!” I chuckle. She rolls her eyes and gets into the car.

  Fifteen minutes into our commute to the airport, Becca’s reticent behavior begins to unnerve me.

  “What’s going on in that lovely head of yours, sweetheart?” I glance over. “Becca?”

  She jumps slightly and shakes her head to pull away from her thoughts.

  “Sorry, baby, what did you say?”

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “I find it odd that Ray didn’t know about George. He has friends on the force, and he knows everyone else there as well. It was a crime that had to do with my ex-husband, who kidnapped me only two months ago. I just find it very odd. Why wouldn’t anybody tell him? It’s public record, not a secret. What are your thoughts about that?” She looks to me, unsure.

  “I was taken aback by his surprised reaction. I didn’t even know he had friends on the force.” I give her enough truth without divulging the complete investigation my team has going on him.

  “Gray, is he number one?” Sometimes, I really wish she wasn’t this bright.

  “Yes, love.” It’s not safe to lie to her anymore.

  “Do me a favor.” She plays with her fingers, seemingly nervous about her impending request.

  “Yes, love?” I take her hand.

  “Have your team look into his ex-wife. Liz Beth ... Connors, I believe was her maiden name.” She glances out the window and takes in a shaky breath.

  “I’ll get right on it, sweetheart, but why?” I’m intrigued. What significance would his ex-wife have to do with all of this? We have the basic info on their union, but nothing was investigated too deeply.

  “I don’t know if it’s paranoia setting in, but I have a really, really bad feeling.”

  She looks at me again, and the internal battle she’s fighting is all over her face. She wipes her tears, closes her eyes, and exhales her grief away as we drive through the gate of the Newfound Valley Airport.

  “Are you okay, sweetheart?” I palm her face and look into her very green eyes.

  “Yes. Let’s go get our daughter.” She nods and kisses me. I get out and head around to open her door. We walk hand in hand to where my plane is taxied.

  “What the hell is the matter with Smitty?” I ask aloud as he runs out of the plane, yelling and waving to us.

  “What’s he saying?” Becca looks up at me.

  And then we’re blasted by a wave of heat.

  “Morgan!” Becca screams as my plane sits—still taxied—on fire. She starts running toward it, shouting Morgan’s name. I and my team grab her in time for the second blast, which sends more debris flying everywhere and knocks us all on our arses. “Morgan! Morgan!”

  I can’t even breathe. Oh God ... oh God ... not Morgan ... no ... no ... no!

  Becca fights as I hold her to me. My chest is so tight. My lungs burn, yearning for a proper amount of oxygen. I failed. I have failed the two people I love most in my life.

  “Why?! Why?” Becca screams. “Not my baby ... not my baby!” Her fist pounds my chest as she hides her face in my neck. I hold her tightly, trying to take the pain away for her. How can I, though? I was supposed to protect them. Oh God. Oh, my Morgy girl. How did this happen? How could this happen?!

  “Sir! Sir!”

  Derek is yelling to me. I look up at him, Becca crumpled in my arms on the ground.

  “Morgan ... she’s safe! She’s in the hanger, sir! She’s safe!” he yells. It takes a moment for this information to register.

  “Becca! Becca—she’s safe! She’s safe, sweetheart!” I shake her, forcing her to focus on what I’m saying.

  “Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!” Derek yells. He, Melissa, Paul, and Ryan help us up and run us to the hanger.

  “Mommy! Daddy!” Morgan cries. Becca and I both bolt for her. I grab her and lift her off the ground to look at her.

  “Oh, Morgy girl, we were so scared!” I hug her.

  “Gray, put her down!” Becca grabs her from me. I bring her back down to the ground and Becca grabs her fiercely. She kisses her face, hugs her, checks her over, and kisses her again.

  “Oh, my baby! Thank you, God! Morgan ... oh, Morgan!” She crushes her daughter to her chest, and my emotions shift in an instant from relief to complete crazy anger!

  “What the fuck just happened?” I scream at my team. “How the hell did my plane explode? My daughter could’ve been killed!” I am officially a madman.

  “Sir, we don’t know. I’m sorry. The plane was swept before takeoff.” Derek looks nervous and mad at the same time.

  “I want to know who exactly did the sweep. Conduct a massive investigation on that person, as well as anyone else who set foot in my plane!” I yell. “What’s the status on Smitty?” I bark, glancing over to the window f
or any indication of what may be going on.

  “EMTs have him. He’s alive. They’re taking him to the hospital now.” Derek feeds me the information as he gets it in his earpiece.

  “Tanya, how did you and Morgan end up in the hanger?” Becca asks, taking her hand now that she’s finally got herself under control.

  “Divine intervention, Becca. Thank you, sweet Jesus!” She does the sign of the cross.

  “What do you mean?” I ask her gently, though I’m a bit annoyed at her explanation to Becca.

  “To be blunt, sir, I got my period. I had nothing on me, and you had nothing on the plane. I couldn’t wait any longer, so I broke protocol and took Morgan and myself off the plane before your arrival to see if there was something in the bathrooms here.”

  “Holy shit, Tanya!” Becca stares at her, the disbelief on her face probably matching my own look.

  “Good day to be a woman, aye, love?” I ask her.

  “It’s a great day to be a woman, sir!” She offers the hugest smile I’ve ever seen in my life!

  “Was there anyone else on the plane?” I feel terrible that I didn’t think to ask this before now.

  “No, sir.” Tanya shakes her head.

  For the next hour or so, we are inundated with questions from the police while reporters have a field day outside the gates of the airport. We’re finally given the okay to head home. My phone rings as we get into the back of the Range Rover.

  “Thanks for driving, Derek.” Becca pats his shoulder.

  “No problem, Mrs. James,” he says as I answer the phone.

  “Hallo?”

  “Grayson, are you guys okay? What the fuck happened, man?” I can’t believe my ears. Ray, I mouth to Becca.

  “We’re fine, Ray. A little shaken up, that’s all.” Hmm ... this is interesting.

  “Is Morgan all right?”

  “Yes, Ray. Luckily, she was off the plane when it happened.”

  “Becca?”

  “Shaken up, but okay. Thanks for calling, Ray.” I’m flat.

  “Grayson, despite everything that’s happened, you know I care about Becca and Morgan very much, right? Please, if I can help in any way, let me know.” He actually sounds very sincere. I find myself debating whether this is an act or not.

  “Will do! Again, thanks for calling.” I hang up.

  “Well, I haven’t heard you two act that pleasant toward each other since the day you first met.” Becca seems shocked.

  “He was concerned. Wanted to make sure you two were okay, and ask if he can help in any way.” I’m anxious to see what she makes of this phone call.

  “Interesting, huh?” Her eyebrow darts up

  “My sentiments exactly.” I grab her hand and squeeze, then lay my head back and close my eyes. I feel wiped out from the massive adrenaline rush ... this is not the kind one looks for—it wasn’t exhilarating at all! I think I can honestly claim that my life was boring before I met Becca Campbell. There were only red carpets, awards, traveling around the world, mindless women, and more money than I knew what to do with! Now my life is surrounded by impossible, intelligent women, kidnappings, explosions, murder, assaults, jealousy, rage, and ... love.

  “Gray? Baby?” I open my eyes to find her beautiful green ones looking at me.

  “Yes, love?”

  “Thank you.” I feel her lips on the back of my hand. How can she be thanking me? I’ve barely protected them! By the skin of my teeth and sheer luck, I have been able to keep them safe. I don’t know what to say. There are no words. I just give her hand another squeeze and close my eyes again.

  BECCA

  It’s been three days since the explosion. We’ve all been on edge—Grayson most of all. I’ve seen him ultra-focused before, but there is no pulling him out of “The Zone” this time. I’m really worried about him. We all are. I’ve even locked my smart mouth up and put it on a shelf (not an easy feat for me). He has security beefed up so much, I can barely breathe. We can’t go anywhere. I have a team of seven surrounding me just to walk up to my stable to visit Rocco. He has a security team on the horses as well! I feel the need to apologize to them every time I go out there. This is all very stifling. I just keep telling myself that it’s temporary. Only problem is, I don’t have any idea how long “temporary” actually is. Grayson is still keeping me in the dark. I thought that would’ve changed, given our conversation before the explosion, but alas, any hope of disclosure went up in flames with his plane!

  The sun slowly brings us out of darkness. Seven sharp and Grayson, surprisingly, is still asleep. This is the only time he looks fully at peace. All of his worries are erased from his face at night, only to be repainted the next day. He is quite the sight. Straight nose, long lashes, a strong but not overpowering chin. He hasn’t shaved in a few days. He looks very rugged—and still beautiful. I love his lips. I love how they frown during dictation of some words. I kiss the beauty mark under his left eye. That usually has such a calming effect on him. Not lately, though. Now, nothing seems to fully calm him down.

  “How long are you going to stare at me, sweetheart?” He offers a slight smile, his eyes still closed.

  “Forever.” I nudge his lips with mine gently. “I miss you,” I whisper against them.

  “What do you mean, Becca? I’m here, love.” He opens his eyes.

  “Yes, I know. I miss hearing you laughing and joking around. I just want this nightmare to be over. I would like to go on with our un-normal normal lives.” I let my smile hit my eyes, hoping it will provoke one from him.

  “I’m trying, sweetheart.” He rubs his face.

  “Oh, Grayson, I know you are! You’re working very hard! You’re amazing!”

  “Amazing? I thought I was incredible.” His eyebrow shoots up and his lips twist into a smirk.

  “Oh, no, you’re amazing.” I trail my fingers down and under the blankets and wrap them around his already growing member. “And he’s incredible.” I offer a mischievous grin and slowly follow the path my fingers took with my lips. I listen to Grayson take in a sharp breath as I fill my mouth with him.

  “Oh God, Becca! Oh ... sweet ... heart.” His pelvis goes wild under my touch. Within ten minutes or so, I have him spilling his last drop. Grayson’s breathing is erratic as I climb up his body.

  “I love you, baby, and I appreciate everything you are doing to keep us safe,” I whisper in his ear.

  “Well, I do love how you show your appreciation, Ms. Campbell.” I can feel his smile up against my hair. “Would you like to shower with me, Becca?” He pats my bottom.

  “I’d love to,” I say, and we climb out of bed and head into the bathroom.

  “Gray ...” I sigh as he turns the shower on. I’ve decided to be brave and risk having an argument.

  “Hmm?” He stands under the hot water first. I think he’s trying to wash away some of his worry.

  “Any chance you are willing to update me on any of the information you’ve received on anything?” At this point, I will take any bit of information, no matter how small. Grayson exhales a rather large breath. I’m not quite sure if it’s laced with annoyance, reluctance, or resolve. I decide patience is my best chance at pushing him toward resolve.

  “Becca ... unfortunately, most of the information we do have is all circumstantial. There are no new leads, baby. I’m telling you the truth. I wish I was closer to an answer. This is all driving me mad.” Of course, my ADD and I just focus on the fact that he called me baby. It still sounds foreign from him ... pun not intended. It’s not his usual endearment, but it’s sacred to me, so he does tend to use it every so often to make sure I get his sincerity. I do. Such a funny little common word to hold such significance to me. I’m sure it would seem very silly to others. But to each his own.

  “What about Liz?” I change tactics slightly instead of mentioning that he has not briefed me on any of the circumstantial information.

  “Oh yes, sweetheart, I meant to tell you that we did get a trail on her and I wil
l actually be updated on that today. I promise to tell you about the info I receive on that, love. Okay?” He pulls me to him and searches my eyes. I nod, knowing his look is to make sure I trust him. How could I not? I hate that he keeps me in the dark, but he’s probably the only person in the world I’d allow to lead me blind through anything. That’s how much faith and trust I have in him. I love him. I reach up and play with the stubble of his light beard. “I’ll shave it today, sweetheart.” He grabs my hand.

  “It’s okay. I like it if you want to keep it.” I smile and get on my tippy toes to kiss him. He bends down to help me out with that. I open my mouth at the beckoning of his tongue and, within moments, we are lost in each other—our favorite place to be lost.

  Grayson is in the crop room—or the “crap room,” as I like to call it, since it is the official headquarters of our shitstorm—getting his morning debriefing. Well, his second, more professional one. A mental chuckle as I give a high five to Horny Sybecca.

  “Hey, Becca, would you like some help with breakfast?” Hazel rubs my back as I watch Grayson. I turn and smile at her. I think we are both desperate for the old days of her and I doing all of the hustle and bustle around here.

  “Yes. What shall we make this morning, Mum?” I turn and put my arm around her shoulders as we head into the kitchen.

  “Hmm ... what shall we make? A little bit of this and a little bit of that?” She winks as she pulls leftovers out of the fridge.

  “Sounds like a plan!” I get the bowls and cutting boards. “Let’s work our magic!” We dive into chopping, mixing, baking, frying, and reheating to create a smorgasbord of delectable breakfast items.

  “Becca?” Hazel stops whipping the eggs.

  “Yes?” I ask as I wipe down the section of counter that I’m working on.

  “You are aware ... no, how could you be?” She shakes her head.

  “What?”

  “Gracie has been out of sorts, but it’s not just because of everything that’s going on right now,” she leads.

  “Hmm ... his parents?” I look up.

  “Yes. Well, especially my sister.”

  I note the blanket of sadness that covers her face.

  “Hazel, is that why Grayson’s gone home to London the past few years by himself for Christmas?”