by Nia Arthurs
“Stop frowning,” Kelly said, massaging the wrinkles between his eyebrows. “It could have been worse.”
“I don’t feel like I have a concussion,” Benjamin whined.
“Where did you earn your medical degree again?”
“Hilarious.”
“I wasn’t trying to be funny.”
“Has Rick returned yet?”
“He checked in while you were unconscious, but he had to duck out when Officer Lewis and her crew came to oversee Denman Orchard’s transfer. He’ll be investigated here, but the American Embassy will take over his case and ship him for trial in the States.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
“Mind telling me what that man has to do with you?”
Benjamin grabbed his head and wailed. “Ow! Ow! It hurts.”
Kelly arched an eyebrow. “Not buying it. You’re stuck here, Ben. We have all night.” She bent over and rested her beautiful head on her clasped hands.
“What’s your plan?”
“I’ll just lie here and pout until you give in.” She pushed out her perfect lips and widened her brown eyes. “Is it working?”
“Not yet.”
She straightened. “Like I said. We have all night.”
Benjamin reached out and rubbed her hair. Kelly was the most important woman to him outside of his family. He hadn’t enjoyed keeping her out of the loop, but now that it was time to reveal all, he felt oddly vulnerable.
“I’m glad you’re okay.”
“You’ve said that a million times already.”
“You can’t leave me, Kelly Banner. Not like that.”
She chuckled. “If I have a say in the way I die, I’ll make sure to keep that in mind.”
She was cracking jokes—her method of dealing with the stress of the past few hours. He liked that about her. The strength, warmth, and humor that she brought to his life was unparalleled.
He pulled his hand back and sighed. “It’s a long story.”
“I just drank a crap load of charcoal juice. I’m not falling asleep anytime soon.”
He chuckled and leaned back to stare at the ceiling. “Her name was Kat.”
Kelly bristled immediately. “Who?”
“She was my fiancée. We met during our freshman year of college and dated through to junior year when we got engaged.”
Kelly ducked her head to play with the hem of her shirt and asked. “What did she look like?”
Benjamin smiled wryly. “She was tall with long red hair and the greenest eyes you’ve ever seen.”
“Sounds stunning.”
“She was.”
Kelly coughed. “What happened?”
His muscles coiled at the memory and anger brushed through him. “She died in a car crash. Her brakes gave out in the middle of a highway. She was killed on impact.”
“That’s horrible.” He looked down to where Kelly’s hand covered his. “I’m really sorry, Benjamin.”
He read sincere pain in her brown eyes and smiled. “Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”
“A part of me is insanely jealous, don’t get me wrong.” She sniffed. “The other part of me is imagining what you must have been going through.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I love you.”
She didn’t bat an eyelash. “I know. Continue.”
“Before she died, Kat suspected that someone was stalking her. A man would call her every few months and warn her to stay away from me. A week before she died, he left her a bouquet of roses and a card. She gave the items to the police, but they still couldn’t trace the guy.”
“You think her brakes going out was intentional.”
He nodded. “There was no evidence of tampering and the police couldn’t link the stalker to anything more than the flowers and card, so the case was labeled an accident. I was sure there was something more involved so I hired Rick.”
“You’ve been looking into it all this time?”
“Yes, but the stalker went underground and didn’t make a peep until I came to Belize and met you.”
“I’ve been wondering about that.”
“Why he targeted you?”
“No. I get that part. What I don’t understand is why you would come to Belize when you were in the middle of an investigation.”
He sighed. “After a while, it was all too suffocating. I needed to get out. My brother released me to head the foreign branches of the company so I could breathe.”
“Oh.”
“You’re taking this relatively well.”
“What part did you expect me to explode over? I come with my own baggage so I have no right to judge yours.”
He winced. “It… gets worse.”
“It doesn’t matter, right? In the end, we caught the villain. He’s a lunatic nursing an unhealthy obsession with your love life. I’ve seen the movies. There are all kinds of people in this world.”
“That’s not altogether true. Denman Orchard came after you because of money, not because of any personal vendetta.”
“Money? You’re saying someone paid him to kill me? Who’s the psycho? I swear I’m going to find them, and then I’m going to tear them limb from limb—”
“It’s… my mother.”
Her mouth formed a silent ‘o’. Kelly scratched her ear while confusion stole over her features. “E-excuse me?”
He explained the Guardian Contract to her and watched as her expression crumbled more and more.
“You can’t be serious. I had fights with my mom too, but she would never send a killer after my boyfriend and me. There must be some mistake.”
“Rick has evidence of the transactions. Mary didn’t even bother to cover it up. She was the last person we would have suspected and she almost got away with it.”
Kelly’s jaw clenched. “So… what are you going to do now?”
“What do you think I should do?”
She swallowed. “I can’t say I enjoyed seeing my life flash before my eyes several times today, but she’s still your mother. It can’t be easy to just write her off and send her to jail.”
“Even if I don’t, Orchard won’t go down alone. He’ll point to her and the evidence will corroborate. She killed Kat. Nearly killed you…” He closed his eyes, unable to stomach the thought. “I can’t let that go.”
“I know all that.” Kelly huffed. “There’s no ‘good side’ to this situation, but she’s still your mother. No matter what she’s done.”
“I can’t believe you’re willing to write off murder.”
“I’m not writing anything off. It’s just… I told you about my relationship with my mom. We fought all the time, and I never appreciated her even though she sacrificed herself to send me to college. If I’d been humble enough to go to her and talk it out, maybe I wouldn’t have so many regrets today. That’s all I want for you,” she said, clutching his fingers. “Don’t live with regrets, Benjamin.”
And so, it was with Kelly’s words echoing in his ears that he boarded a plane and headed back home a few days later.
Stepping into his mother’s lavish condo in the center of the city was like stepping back in time. Benjamin recalled every visit to this place, the excitement in his stomach, the joy in his heart.
Back then he accepted his mother’s habit of leaving him to do and eat whatever he wanted as her brand of love. When he was with his adopted family, they always pushed him to eat his vegetables, do his homework, and go to bed on time.
Staying with Mary was a sort of vacation from the structure. As long as he kept out of her way, Benjamin could order pizza and watch all the R-rated horror films he could stomach. It was the life.
Or so he believed.
He’d been naïve to think that the very woman who had turned her back on him had suddenly experienced a change of heart. He should have known it was about the money. It was always about the money with her.
“Hello?” He walked into the dark room
where a beam of sunlight filtered through the curtains. His gaze skimmed the lavish Persian rug in the center of the living room, the plush black chairs and huge flat screen TV.
Silence.
Maybe she wasn’t home.
Benjamin walked toward the front door when he spotted a huddle of bills stacked near the side of the dresser. He’d missed it on his way in.
Stooping, he plucked the first bill and sighed, crumpling the material in his hands. His mom hadn’t been here for days and he doubted she was coming back.
Benjamin had been foolish to expect anything more. An apology? Genuine remorse? Yeah, right. His mother didn’t hand out “I’m sorrys” unless it suited her bottom line.
His phone rang. Benjamin picked up and spoke before Rick could. “How much did she take?”
“Every cent from the account.”
“She knew I was coming.”
“She could be anywhere by now. Should I track her down?”
Benjamin held the cell to his ear and stared at a picture hanging on the wall. It was a photo of his mother in a white dress, mouth opened wide in a smile and brown hair spraying behind her as she swung him around in a field.
She’d seemed so happy then, so different from the mother who had left him hungry and alone in the house for three days while she went off with her lover.
He learned later that there was a reason for her smile. That morning his father made the first deposit into her bank account. Like a proper vending machine, she’d poured out her love on him in response.
“Find her,” he said with gritted teeth. “Find her no matter what.”
Benjamin ground his hands into fists and ended the call.
Epilogue
Kelly waited for Benjamin at the airport with a cheesy sign that Rene had talked her into making last night. She held the cardboard awkwardly at her side and smiled politely at a couple that passed by.
The sheer number of people in the airport surprised her. Tourists in open-toed sandals and huge backpacks around their shoulders walked by, talking in a language she did not understand.
Children skipped around their parents, demanding to know when they would see the animals at the zoo. A large, dark-skinned woman argued loudly with a clerk in a kiosk over a Belizean novelty coin that cost more than a T-shirt.
A heady, excited buzz tinged the air. There were smiles on all faces—except for the angry customer’s of course.
Kelly smoothed her green dress and brushed her hair down to chase the frizz. One of the perks of dating the boss was asking for time off to pick him up after a trip. Errol had grudgingly given his okay and she’d spent a great chunk of the morning laboring over what to wear.
She glanced up and spotted someone walking head and shoulders over the others in the crowd. A streak of joy shot through her. Without a second thought, Kelly lifted the sign over her head and bounced on her toes.
Benjamin’s gaze caught hers and held. His bright blue eyes glimmered when he saw the sign. She waited eagerly for him to roll his suitcase over and rushed toward him, throwing her arms around his neck.
He kissed her cheek and hugged her back. People were staring so they did not linger in the embrace long, but Kelly could have remained in his arms for hours. She’d fallen hard and fast. Being without him for one day was torture.
“I missed you,” he said. His jaw was deliciously scruffy and she couldn’t resist the urge to run her fingers down his chin.
“You were gone? I hadn’t noticed.”
He grinned and captured her hand. They walked toward the door. The air that greeted them outside was thick and humid. Benjamin slipped his shades over his face and led her to the parking lot where he’d stowed his car.
Kelly glanced at him after they’d settled into the vehicle. “How did it go?”
“Mary was gone when I got there. Rick’s on the case now. This time the police are doing all they can to find her. She won’t be in the wind for long.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get the closure you were looking for.”
“It’s alright.” He looked at her. “As long as I can come back home to you.” He glanced at her stomach and she placed a hand there wondering if her days away from the gym were beginning to show.
“What?”
“How are you feeling?”
“Good. I talked to my grandmother yesterday. She wants to meet you.” The words slipped out without her consent and Kelly rushed to take them back. “Of course I told her we weren’t at that stage yet. She understood.”
He started the car and casually said. “I’d love to meet your grandmother.”
Kelly’s cheeks flooded with heat. She’d never had a boyfriend she could or wanted to introduce to her family.
Clayton didn’t count.
“I’ll… set it up then.”
“Great.” He drove the car down the highway. “Are you hungry?”
“Are you?” She pointed to a restaurant that was partially hidden by a crop of coconut trees. “We can stop here. They’ve got a superb angel chicken pasta. They braise it in red wine.” She brought her fingers to her lips and kissed the tips. “To die for.”
“The pasta is made with wine?”
“That’s the best part.”
He grunted low in his throat but turned into the parking lot of the diner and shut down the engine. Kelly got out of the car and turned back to talk to Benjamin when she tripped over a bottle lying on the ground.
She went sprawling to her knees. Benjamin shouted and darted to her side while a few of the taxi men waiting near the restaurant crowded her and lifted her up. Kelly was more embarrassed than hurt and wiggled out of their helpful holds.
“I’m okay,” she said quietly, hoping everyone would disappear so she could forget the incident.
Instead, Benjamin made a bigger deal of it. He raked his hands down her arms and brushed the sand from her knees. His blue eyes wide and frantic, he clucked his tongue and checked her over.
“Are you okay, sweetie? Is the baby hurt? Did you break anything?”
She froze and glanced at him. “What did you say?” He was too busy swinging her arm up and down to hear her. Kelly tapped his shoulder. “Benjamin!”
“Are you pregnant, miss?” One of the taxi men gestured to his phone. “That was a nasty fall. Should we call an ambulance?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“You’re right.” Benjamin tried to shove her back into the car. “I’m taking you to the hospital just to be sure.”
“Hold up!” She glared at Benjamin who stopped in his tracks and tilted his head in confusion. “Don’t touch me.”
She smiled at the taxi men and thanked them for their kindness. Dragging Benjamin into the restaurant for some privacy, she waited impatiently for the waitress to hand them their menus and leave before she dug into him.
“What is it?” he asked, biting on his bottom lip.
“Why did you yell about a baby out there?” she hissed. “Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was?”
“I know about your pregnancy, Kelly,” Benjamin said with a straight face.
She laughed anyway, certain he must be joking. When he didn’t break character and remained earnestly intense, she sighed. “Why do you think I’m pregnant?”
“You don’t have to hide it from me.” He snaked his hand out and clasped hers. “I love you, Kelly. I admit, when I first found out about your pregnancy, I was upset, but the more I thought about it, the more it didn’t matter. I don’t care if the child in your stomach is Clayton’s baby. I’ll love him or her like my own. I promise.”
“What?”
“I was adopted too, remember? I’ve always wanted to pay it forward and adopt a child.”
“Benjamin, you’ve got it all wrong.”
His eyes darkened. “Is there someone else…?”
“What? No!” She chuckled and flailed in her seat, her anger melting like jello. “Why do you look so sexy to me all of a sudden? Gah! I want to throw myself at
you right now. This self control thing is killing me.”
He frowned. “I’m lost.”
She shot to her feet so fast the chair nearly toppled. “Do you want to go make out in the bathroom? I promise I won’t push for more than that.”
“Kelly.”
“Sorry.” She blew out a breath and pulled at the material of her dress away as she fanned her skin. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not pregnant. I have no idea where you heard that rumor, but it isn’t true.”
“Are you sure?” He leaned forward. “Really?”
“I think I’d know my own body and unless it’s one of those anomalies where I’m pregnant while on my period, there’s no baby.”
“None?”
“Not one.”
He wheeled back as if she’d shot him. “You’re serious?”
“Yup.”
He sighed. “I don’t know whether to be happy or sad. I was looking forward to raising a baby with you. Even if it wasn’t mine.”
“We can make our own in a minute. There’s a hotel near here…” She noted his expression and backed off. “Sorry. I can see that you’re still soaking it all in.”
“If… you’re not pregnant, that means—whoa… Renesha?” He licked his lips and explained. “When we were at the hospital in Cayo, a nurse brought the results of your blood test. She said you were pregnant, but she never identified you by name.”
Kelly groaned. “That’s what Rene’s been trying to tell me.”
“Do you want to return to the office now? I can skip lunch.”
“Let’s order to go. I don’t mind waiting a few extra minutes.” Kelly burrowed her face into her hands. “She must hate me. I’ve been so out of it.”
“I’m sure it’s not that bad.” He smoothed down his tie. “Wow. Everything is setting in. I’ve been researching about babies like crazy and you’re not even going to have one.”
“Is that really what matters right now?” Kelly asked, her phone to her ear. She threw the cell down and groaned. “It’s going straight to voicemail.”
Benjamin said nothing, only looked at her across the table. In no mood to be romanced by his expressive eyes, she barked.